Activities of Malcolm HARBOUR related to 2013/2062(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on CARS 2020: towards a strong, competitive and sustainable European car industry
Amendments (11)
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that a European action plan for the automotive industry must follow a holistic approach, complementing regulation with infrastructure investments and actions to boost demand and enhance human capitalpromote a highly skilled labour force; believes, in this context, that investments in R&D to boost the development of advanced technologies, including measures to improve road safety, tackle CO2 and reduce pollutant and noise emissions, are vital to support the creation of added value and jobsstain EU competitiveness and drive EU added value, job creation and growth in the automotive sector;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the proposal for strengthening the market for alternative fuel vehicles, and urges that priority be given to the development of appropriate infrastructures throughmeasures aimed at rolling-out the necessary infrastructure, by stimulating adequate investments at European and national level, and through the swift adoption of the legislative proposal and of a common standard on the recharging interface for electric vehicles; , as well as other relevant standards; calls on the Commission to make corresponding legislative proposals where necessary;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that the developmenthealth of the European automotive industry cannot rely on export revenues alone but should also focus on boosting domestic demand, through public and private investments and the enhancement ofby improving European citizens' purchasing power;
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for stronger coordination of demand-side measures, including financial incentives and taxation policy breaks, both on vehicles and fuels; asks the Commission to follow the guidelines on financial incentives with more binding actions to ensure a level playing field and contribute to the competitiveness of the industry across the EU;
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises the importance of public intervention to ensure that the negative social consequences of any industrial restructuring in the sector are kept to a minimum; believes that a European framework for anticipating change and softening the social impact of restructuring, including a legislative act, is necessary, also in order to avoid any distortions to the internal market; recognises at the same time the need to tackle structural overcapacity in the automotive sector in the EU, otherwise long-term competitiveness will be irreparably damaged; believes that the CARS 2020 Action Plan provides a good European framework for anticipating change, boosting industry competitiveness, SME and supplier opportunities, and softening the social impact of restructuring;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to takencourage measures in conjunction with Member States, to ensure a high level of consumer protection, transparency and security alsoafety in the second hand car market, and to work towards a gradual phasing ; commends its recommendation in the roadworthiness testing regulation, to require mileage recording at each test; considers that initiatives such as the "Car Pass" scheme in Belgium could be encouraged by a European Standard; notes that re- registration procedures for vehicle transfers must also discourage cross border mileage fraud; supports incentive measures to encourage the phase-out of polluting and less safe vehicles;
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Asks the Commission to respond to the problem of misleading consumers through biasedunrepresentative information on vehicle fuel consumption and environmental performance; calls for a swiftsupports the planned development of a new driving test-cycle and procedures, and calls for these to be introduced without delay.
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Confirms its support for a review of the type approval framework and looks forward to collaborating with the Commission and encouraging stakeholder dialogue during this process;
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Welcomes the Commission's intention to carry out proportionality tests on the implementing measures proposed for existing legislative requirements; notes that its concerns over the anti-tampering and evaporative emissions requirements on L category vehicles have been explicitly recognised;
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Underlines the importance of international regulatory harmonisation in underpinning the global competitiveness of the European car industry; supports the reform of the 1958 UNECE agreement, and the development of an international type approval system (IWVTA); calls on the Commission to engage Parliament more fully to ensure political support from global partners to raise the profile of these crucial projects;
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Deplores the decision of the Conference of Presidents to bar the engagement of MEPs in the CARS 2020 discussions; notes that many other representative organisations and Member State politicians are involved; demands that the Conference of Presidents review this decision in the light of the important proposals on the future of the car industry being developed in the CARS 2020 framework; notes that as any legislation evolving from CARS 2020 will be closely examined and approved by the Parliament, participating in policy groups does not undermine Parliament's independence.