GLOBALISATION OF THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

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2 GLOBALISATION OF THE AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

3 Globalisation of the Automobile Industry YEARLY STATUS REPORT: Progress The EBC welcomes the opportunity that globalisation presents for innovative European firms to strengthen their relationship with Japanese automobile manufacturers in developing new products and sharing technical expertise. Japanese automobile manufacturers are increasingly making use of foreign tie-ups to develop their business and respond to competitive pressures both at home and abroad. Nevertheless, European automotive component and system manufacturers continue to face numerous challenges in promoting European technical expertise to automobile manufacturers in Japan.

4 Globalisation of the Automobile Industry YEARLY STATUS REPORT: Progress In this respect the traditional Japanese practice of working with affiliated companies presents obstacles and leads to the distortion of competition. Free and open competition would lead to more innovative and better quality products, something that would benefit Japanese manufacturers and consumers. Japan-specific requirements are common, and it is not unusual for specifications to differ between domestic and overseas production, even within the same company. It is, therefore, of crucial importance that Japan harmonises its regulatory framework to better accommodate the globalisation of the automotive components sector.

5 Globalisation of the Automobile Industry RECOMMENDATIONS The EBC urges the Japanese automobile industry to focus more on the technical, commercial and logistics aspects of automobile production in the procurement of components and systems. Increased purchasing on a global basis and more emphasis on single platform development would improve the cost-effectiveness of the Japanese industry. The EBC recommends the application of free and open competition and the avoidance of excessive reliance on affiliated companies. Japan should recognise foreign test results to avoid the necessity of re-testing for the Japanese market.

6 PROMOTING INFORMATION EXCHANGE

7 Promoting Information Exchange YEARLY STATUS REPORT: Limited Progress Face-to-face meetings between the European Association of Automotive Suppliers and Japanese car manufacturers were established in 1995 to promote information exchange between European and Japanese companies. These meetings have proven to be an extremely effective venue for discussing issues of mutual concern relating to products, platforms, global strategies and other important matters affecting the industry. The next meeting schedule is currently under negotiation between the European Association of Automotive Suppliers and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.

8 Promoting Information Exchange YEARLY STATUS REPORT: Limited Progress The EBC encourages top-level Japanese industry participation. The EBC also sees considerable potential value in the Japan Society of Automotive Engineers (JSAE) Automotive Engineering Exhibition and the annual congress/paper presentation scheduled for May, 2015 in Yokohama.

9 Promoting Information Exchange RECOMMENDATION The EBC strongly supports the continuation of face-to-face meetings with leading representatives from the Japanese automobile industry. Such meetings have led to a greater understanding between European component manufacturers and Japanese car manufacturers. The EBC also hopes that the scope of these meetings will be expanded in future to include Japanese venues.

10 Tyres

11 Tyres YEARLY STATUS REPORT: Progress The EBC appreciated the action taken by MLIT to improve market access in Japan for European tyres, especially with the issuance of Jishin 1533 (2013). Despite this positive change and even though the Japanese authorities deem European tyres to be safe, some differences still exist between UNECE and Japanese regulations for tyres of commercial vehicles, which can lead to uncertainties about what is really allowed. EBC also notes the difficulties in gaining access to sales channels in this sector.

12 Tyres RECOMMENDATION The EBC urges Japan to further accelerate worldwide harmonisation of technical standards and regulations. The EBC recommends that JFTC monitors the tyre sector to improve access to sales channels.