The European Council for Automotive Research and Development (EUCAR) consists of the twelve major European automobile manufacturers and pursues the main objective of strengthening the competitiveness of the European Automobile industry through strategic collaborative R&D. Following this, the primary task of EUCAR is the identification and definition of future automotive research needs while serving as an important interface between the European Commission and the European  automobile manufacturers. EUCAR’s initiated R&D projects are aimed to fulfill the future objectives of the European Commission and to research and develop highly attractive, safe, environmentally friendly and affordable vehicles and automotive solutions for market launch by 2020 and market penetration by 2030. Currently, the European automobile industry is facing a wide range of challenges that require innovative solutions, e.g. research on alternative powertrains and fuels, ICT-based safety systems or innovative materials and manufacturing processes. We cannot forget the very demanding challenges posed by the present financial situation which requires the optimization of any internal and external processes regarding their efficiency, using all synergies and focusing on the technologies with the greatest potential for a successful future market introduction.

Nevertheless, the European automobile industry intends to pursue all evolving opportunities and to continue  research activities in order to offer innovative solutions to its customers in the next few years. In the longer-term,  this is indispensable for ensuring the competitiveness of the European automobile industry. To be best prepared for the future, the EUCAR member companies bring a vast range of expert knowledge in the daily work of the various Working Groups that are researching the following four main  R&D areas:
• Fuels and Powertrain
• Integrated Safety
• Materials, Processes and Manufacturing
• Mobility and Transport.

I acknowledge and thank all experts involved in the EUCAR Working Groups for their expertise and fruitful contributions to our R&D projects. Stepping forward in this way, the European automobile industry strives to be quite simply the most innovative in the world.
 

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