ACEA lobbying tactics unveiled by Reuters newswire

In an article published on 23 June 2009, Reuters sheds light on the automotive industry’s delaying tactics as regards the implementation of the MAC Directive. In a letter seen by Reuters and sent to the European Commission some weeks ago, ACEA argues car manufacturers are not ready. However, suppliers state the opposite, insisting that carmakers have cancelled all orders for climate-friendly CO₂ MAC.

While the world is reacting to a report showing the unforeseen harm untapped HFCs could have in the years to come, the auto industry is calling for a two to three years delay in implementing the MAC Directive, the EU tool that was going to help phase out the HFC 134a in new passenger cars from 2011 on.

OEMs claim the industry is not ready…

In today’s article, Reuters refers to a letter ACEA sent to the European Commission on 14 May 2009 to call for a significant delay to implement the MAC Directive, arguing that the ailing industry was not ready.

"Car manufacturers need sufficient lead-time of at least two-three years past January 1, 2011 to adjust to the changed situation. ACEA requests that the Commission work with the member states to find a pragmatic solution," the letter seen by Reuters states.

The document comes only some weeks after the European Commission published an official clarification as regards a suggested misinterpretation of the Directive where car manufacturers were using type-approval definitions to wriggle out of their responsibilities.

Chris Davies, British Member of the European Parliament, raised his voice today to state that the industry had already had sufficient time to get ready and could make the change "at the flick of a switch”. He added that “this is a crucial test for the Commission ahead of global climate talks in Copenhagen in December. The Commission must not concede on this, or they will open the floodgates to a whole host of special pleading by industry." Banning harmful refrigerants would be a cheap and easy way to combat climate change, he added.

…but suppliers are

While ACEA is arguing that car manufacturers are not ready to meet the crucial deadline, Reuters interviewed several car suppliers who confirmed that all they were waiting for was orders.

"The technology is developed and technology proven, but the car makers haven't placed the orders. The industry could provide millions of units. As soon as they place the orders, we are ready to jump”, confided one director of a leading CO₂ MAC supplier on condition of anonymity for fear of angering carmakers united in the European automotive association ACEA.

Willi Parsch, representing German CO₂ compressor supplier ixetic, made clear that General Motors and two German manufacturers had placed orders for the group's CO₂ compressors for delivery between 2008 and 2011, but all of them had since cancelled.

Austrian R744 engineering company Obrist Engineering and US-American system supplier Visteon were also quoted by Reuters as companies ready to help carmakers switch to carbon dioxide-based cooling systems.