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Intellectual Property - Providing a sound basis for European investors
Robust intellectual property (IP) laws encourage companies to innovate and support investment in R&D. The automotive sector therefore welcomes measures to protect legitimate manufacturing interests and moves to drive out the counterfeiters. It is therefore hard to understand why the Commission would push ahead with plans to abolish design protection for visible spare parts.
Design protection is essential
The European automobile industry is traditionally a strong supporter of harmonised EU rules. With regard to design rights for visible automotive spare parts, ACEA proposes that the EU maintains and where necessary reintroduces a protection of at least 10 years across the EU. Abolishing design rights, as proposed by the European Commission, would harm competitiveness, lead to a loss of jobs and create no consumer benefits.
The Chinese market is becoming ever more important
Between 1999 and 2003, China tripled its output of passenger cars and doubled the production of trucks. Long term, the country's rapid economic growth is likely to be reflected in continuing increased demand for vehicles, and some forecasts see China being the third biggest market worldwide by 2010. Chinese automotive manufacturers would benefit from the introduction of free trade and common standards, applied in the other major world automobile markets.
International Trade - Mutual benefits in opening markets
The European automotive industry has a reputation for delivering quality products around the globe. Opportunities to develop trade abroad should be pursued and manufacturers support steps to remove barriers such as unreasonable import tariffs and non-tariff barriers (NTB).
Publications
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Market & Economy
- Passenger cars: registrations decrease by 6.9% in April
- Commercial Vehicles: registrations down 9.6% in first quarter
- Passenger cars: registrations drop by 9.7% in February 2012
- ACEA Pocket Guide 2011: annual auto industry statistics overview
- European vehicle production: Annual Economic Report 2010
- Automobile Production Plants in Europe (2010)
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Events
Upcoming Events
- Diesel Emissions Conference and AdBlue Forum 2012 Europe - 30 May - 1 June
- International Symposium on Heavy Vehicle Transport Technology – HVTT 16-19 September 2012
- Our Future Mobility Now "Innovation for Europe, Skills for the Future" Roundtable, 10 October 2012. Go to http://www.futuremobilitynow.com/ to learn more.
Recent and Past Events
- The Forum for Automobile and Society: Policy Innovation & Jobs for a Competitive Automotive Industry, 24 April 2012. Go to www.autoandsociety.com to learn more.
Can Efficiency take the Lead in Transport Policy? Autoworld Museum, Brussels, 1st December 2011- European Job Day 2011 in Brussels: Discover the event
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