The 19 November 2021 annual OICA General Assembly, in Naples, Italy, elected Mr. John Bozzella, President of the United States-based Alliance for Automotive Innovation (Auto Innovators) as the new president of the world automotive industry association OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles – International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers).

Mr. Bozzella succeeds Mr. Fu Binfeng, executive vice-chairman and secretary general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

Mr. Bozzella thanked Mr. Fu for his leadership especially during the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis which took hold shortly after Mr. Fu’s election at the end of 2019. As is well known, the pandemic has caused severe disruptions in the industry’s global value chain.

Mr. Bozzella noted that “the auto industry continues to face serious challenges due to the shortages and price increases of raw materials and semi-conductors essential for auto manufacturing. This will become increasingly important to resolve as the technologies in hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as advanced safety technologies, require more semiconductors and other supply constrained materials.” Mr. Bozzella added, “As has always been the case, the innovative spirit of the vehicle industry and its dedicated workforce will be up to this challenge so that we can create a cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation future.”

2021’s General Assembly also included a round table to discuss several issues facing the global automobile industry and opportunities for leadership in areas such as climate change and CO2 reductions, which was especially timely following the COP 26 Conference of Parties in Glasgow. The round table included an exchange of views on the various political initiatives to ban the sale of internal combustion engines and to switch to fully electric vehicles. While OICA intends soon to publish a more complete position paper, the global auto industry remains firmly committed to reducing its CO2 emissions. As industry continues to innovate, OICA believes that there are multiple technology pathways to a net-zero carbon future. Accelerating the transition to electrification and low-carbon transport requires broad collaboration among all stakeholders across the private and public sectors to establish the critical measures for success including infrastructure, grid resiliency, supply chains and industrial transformation.

 

For further information: www.oica.net
Yves van der Straaten, Secretary General, + 33 (0)1 43 59 00 13, yvanderstraaten@oica.net

 

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