Malcolm Harbour meets with the Specialty Products and Motorsport Industry in Birmingham at the Autosport Show Jan 2007



Embargo: 15.00, Thursday 10 May
Press Statement

ETO reaction to the European Parliament second reading vote on the amended Framework Directive for the approval of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles (9911/3/2006 – C6-0040/2007 – 2003/0153(COD))

''The European tuning (specialty automotive equipment) industry has closely monitored and provided input on an article in the Vehicle Type Approval legislation dealing with aftermarket parts and equipment.  The article seeks to introduce a new authorization process for parts and equipment which are deemed to affect the safety or environmental performance of a vehicle.  This industry, which consists of hundreds of thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and generates tens of thousands of jobs and billions of tax euros in sales, was initially concerned that the legislation, if left unchanged, would reduce competition in the marketplace and unfairly burden these SMEs.

The European Tuning Organisation (ETO) is grateful to Mr. Malcolm Harbour for his efforts in seeking the opinions of all interested parties throughout the development of this legislation, and for his success in finding a compromise between the affected parties. The European Parliament second reading vote goes a long way in improving the article, minimizing additional burdens on the SMEs active in the aftermarket, while creating a mechanism to regulate products for which demonstrated safety or environmental issues may arise,”   commented Renato Gallo, ETO President and President of the Italian Tuning Association.

''Our industry has played a key role in devising products which makes vehicles safer and more environmental friendly.  Just a few such products are high performance brake systems, specialty suspension systems affording better stability and aftermarket wheels and tires which can provide better and optimized grip. Many of these products are then incorporated by the vehicle manufacturers into the next generation of vehicles.   The changes made in the legislation will increase the 1) transparency for and involvement of the concerned independent aftermarket,  2) require that vehicle manufacturers shall make available to independent parts producers necessary technical information, and 3) redrafted so as to avoid unintentionally banning or limiting the use of specialty parts for motorsports,'' noted ETO Treasurer Peter Van Mol who also serves as President of the Belgian tuning organization 

''We look forward to working with the Commission and others who will be involved in the implementation of the legislation to ensure that the market remains open to the safe and innovative products manufactured and distributed by our members which translates into hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of tax euros,'' Commented Kostas Papantriantafyllou Managing Director and Publisher of Option Press in Greece and the Vice President of ETO
 
ETO is the official European umbrella association for the specialty products industry.  The industry represents firms that manufacture, distribute and promote products which enhance the performance, the safety, the look or comfort of a vehicle.   Our members¢ products are incorporated into vehicles on the assembly line, at the dealers, as well as in the aftermarket and are also sought after for motorsports and off-road use.  

Headquarters:
Address: Via dei Poeti ½ - 40124 Bologna, Italy.

Secretariat:
Address: Breiter Weg 4b 35516 Muenzenberg Germany.
For more information contact ETO at www.e-t-o.org - Email: