Renault's Schweitzer becomes ACEA president for 2003

Louis Schweitzer, chairman and chief executive officer of Renault, has been elected president of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) for 2003. This is his second one-year term, as he had already served in 1997.

The appointment was made at the last ACEA board of directors meeting, held in Paris on December 13, and is effective from last Wednesday. Following the association's tradition of rotating presidencies, he succeeds Jean-Martin Folz, chairman of the managing board of PSA Peugeot Citroën.

"I am very pleased and honoured to be the next ACEA president", Louis Schweitzer said. "In line with my predecessor, and with the support of the ACEA Secretariat, I will be working this coming year with my colleagues on pursuing the implementation of the European distribution system, its extension to the new EU countries, and the harmonisation of international technical regulations.

"But our efforts will also be dedicated to the environment with an emphasis on CO2 emissions, and road safety, with the protection of both pedestrians and passengers. These issues are important and challenging; I am confident that we will address them by maintaining a constructive relationship with the EU institutions, so that we will actively contribute to finding the best solutions."

ACEA, set up in 1991, represents the 13 major European car, truck and bus manufacturers. All ACEA member companies are key players in the global automotive market, producing over 16 million vehicles per year and providing direct employment to 1.1 million people.