Automotive industry experts from the Four Motors for Europe at the European Week of Regions and Cities
Co-organized by the Committee of the Regions and the European Commission, the European Week of Regions and Cities is the largest annual event dedicated to regional policy.
On this occasion, and as part of its presidency of the Four Motors for Europe, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes proposed a side-event- led by technical experts from partner Regions - dedicated to how Regions can foster the green transition in the automotive sector along the value chain and at local level.
Contributing to the sustainable transition by strengthening the cooperation between the Regions
Stéphanie Pernod, first vice-president of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region in charge of the Economy, Relocation, Regional preference and Digital, opened the meeting, recalling the significant presence of the automotive industry in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
She underlined that “the Region is very busy and concerned with the issue of green transition” and seeks to protect companies, heavily affected by the pandemic, from a too vigorous transition. "Our companies bet on innovation, [...] according to us this innovation will be the key, to their success, to the successful transformation of the thermal industry to the green industry" she added.
Helping companies meet the challenges of the automotive sector
The round table - moderated by Fabienne Goyeneche, head of Michelin's Public Affairs EU Office - brought together experts from each of the regions to illustrate the concrete challenges facing companies in the automotive sector.
Mathieu Saraiva, EU correspondent at FAMN (French automotive & mobility network), focused his presentation on low-emission technologies, particularly those based on hydrogen, which are receiving significant support from the European Commission and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region.
Stefan Büchele, director of international cooperation at the agency for E-Mobility, presented the crucial role of the "Strategic Dialogue for the Automotive Sector " set up by Baden-Württemberg to foster dialogue between public and private actors in favor of the green transition.
Tomas Megia, director of OPTIMA (Office for the transformation of the automotive industry in Catalonia), focused his presentation on the challenges facing SMEs in the automotive industry to deal with green transition.
Finally, Gianpiero Mastinu, secretary general of the Mobility cluster of Lombardy, stressed the importance of the role of biomethane.
This very successful meeting was concluded by Florian Hassler, State Secretary for Political Coordination and Europe in the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg and member of the Committee of the Regions. According to him, the Four Motors "leaders in their respective countries" are at the forefront of the issues related to the green transition.
