On 18 March, Mr Jean-Marc Gales, CLEPA CEO, and Mr Jacob Bangsgaard, FIA Director General,
opened the iMobility Challenge Technology event in Brussels-Autoworld. The event combined the
demonstration of innovative automotive technologies, the panel debate on “Intelligent Vehicles –
Efficient Mobility” as well as keynote speeches from policy-makers and industry representatives and
attracted more than 300 participants. ACEA and ERTICO actively supported the initiative.
“What you will experience today is a number of energy efficiency and safety technologies developed
and made in Europe. Their main benefits are to improve air quality, increase capacity of transport
infrastructure and save lives. But they also have another benefit: they contribute to maintaining the
technological leadership of the European automotive industry, creating value and jobs” said Mr Jean-
Marc Gales, CLEPA CEO.
CLEPA members showcased their latest innovations in energy efficiency, connectivity and smart &
safe driving. Representatives from various institutions of the European Union including Mr Paul
Timmers, EC Director for Sustainable & Secure Society, Mr Carlo Pettinelli, EC Director, for Industrial
Policy, Mr Mark Van Stiphout, Member of the Cabinet of Commissioner Oettinger and Mrs Colette
Maloney, EC Head of Unit of Smart Cities and Sustainability contributed with their messages to the
success of this event.
In the demonstration area visitors had the opportunity to get first-hand experience of the following
technologies: eCall, improved night time visibility, driver monitoring and tire information systems,
automated driving functions and driver assistance features, electric hybrid for commercial vehicles,
connected infotainment systems and smart services & applications.
In the panel discussion “Intelligent Vehicles and Efficient Mobility” moderated by Kevin Borras,
Thinking Highways Editor-in-chief, Mr Luigi Ippolito, Magneti Marelli, Jan Olsson, Autoliv, Josef
Hjelmaker, Delphi, Matthias Kliche, Continental, Jonathan Hewett, Octo Telematics, highlighted the
efforts made by automotive suppliers to drive innovation in the field of intelligent vehicles and
sustainable mobility.
“Automotive suppliers are fully committed to delivering on road safety, energy efficiency and
connectivity. That is why we look forward to continuing our good co-operation with our customers,
consumers, national and European authorities to make driving cleaner, safer and more efficient”,
concluded Mr Arnaud de David-Beauregard, CLEPA President, during the evening reception.
