Automotive Exports – November 2017

Monthly automotive aftermarket magazine
Truck & Engine Manufacturers on
Future Regulations, Standards
EU, US and Japanese manufacturers of heavy vehicles affirm to develop
standards for platooning; a new meeting of technical experts be hosted
by the US industry association to examine the connectivity and other
technical issues identified at the summit meeting
At a global summit in
Tokyo on October 26,
the world’s leading manufacturers
of heavy-duty trucks and engines
called for further collaboration
among the regulatory authorities of
Europe, the US and Japan for the
promotion of vehicle-freight-road
connectivity.
Assembling in Tokyo, the chief
executives of 10 global truck and
engine manufacturers discussed
industry approaches to future
regulations and standards aimed
at enhancing road safety, labour
saving, and freight transport
efficiency with the help of
communications technology and
automated driving technology.
The summit meeting was chaired
by Mr Yoshio Shimo, president
of Hino Motors ltd and chairman
of the Japan Automobile
Manufacturers Association’s Heavy
Vehicle Committee. This was
the fourteenth meeting of chief
executives to discuss global issues
and recommend solutions to face
up to critical challenges confronting
heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers.
Summarising the meeting, Mr
Shimo stated: “Commercial vehicle
and engine manufacturers have
made definite progress in exhaust
emission reductions, fuel efficiency
improvements, and the global
harmonisation of test methods
and regulations. We have also
reaffirmed the importance of
identifying our common issues
and sharing perspectives unique
to heavy-duty vehicles, and our
intention to continue talks on
vehicle connectivity with the
communications infrastructure
and reconfirmed our awareness
that the best approach to resolving
connectivity issues is closer
cooperation between government
and industry.”
Additionally, patterning after
the achievements of previous
meetings, the industry leaders
reviewed ongoing progress in the
harmonisation of fuel efficiency
standards, and affirmed their
intention to pursue the following
activities on a priority basis:
1. Push ahead with their
expert-level collaborations for
tackling the technical issues of
connectivity, and
2. Move forward with their
support of the United Nations
activity to develop an international
fuel efficiency procedures for
heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
It was decided that a new meeting
of technical experts be hosted
by the US industry association to
examine the connectivity and other
technical issues identified at the
summit meeting.
56 NOVEMBER 2017