DAF Trucks’ Harald Seidel Elected Chairman of ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board for 2024

DAF Trucks’ Harald Seidel Elected Chairman of ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board for 2024

(IN BRIEF) Harald Seidel, the President of DAF Trucks, has been chosen as the Chairman of the Commercial Vehicle Board of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) for the year 2024. Seidel highlighted the transformative year ahead for the European truck industry, with negotiations on CO2 regulations for heavy-duty vehicles aiming for more ambitious decarbonization targets. He emphasized the industry’s commitment to decarbonizing road transport and called for policy makers to support manufacturers with necessary infrastructure, carbon pricing schemes, and measures to encourage the adoption of zero-emission vehicles. Seidel stressed the importance of maintaining the competitiveness of the trucking sector amid European elections and a new European Commission mandate in 2024, addressing various challenges, including Euro 7 standards, the Weights and Dimensions Directive, and potential new data regulations. Seidel succeeds Martin Lundstedt, CEO of Volvo Group, in this role.

(PRESS RELEASE) BRUSSELS, 13-Jan-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Harald Seidel, President of DAF Trucks, has been elected Chairman of the Commercial Vehicle Board of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) for 2024.

“2024 will be a game-changing year for the European truck industry. Firstly, negotiations on the CO2 regulation for heavy-duty vehicles, which enshrines more ambitious decarbonisation targets for trucks and buses into law, should be wrapped up over the coming months,” stated Seidel. “Let there be no doubt: truck and bus manufacturers are dedicating all their efforts to help decarbonise road transport. But policy makers must match the ambitious targets for vehicle manufacturers with equally ambitious conditions to enable their market uptake.”

“Europe’s whole heavy-duty transport ecosystem requires a rapid transformation, involving efforts from a wide range of public and private actors – not just truck makers,” cautioned Seidel. “We are playing our part by investing billions in zero-emission battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, and this is already paying dividends for Europe’s green transition.”

“But our efforts are being impeded by a lack of three crucial elements: charging and hydrogen refilling infrastructure, effective carbon pricing schemes, and measures to support transport operators to replace conventional vehicles with zero-emission models,” Seidel added.

“Trucks remain the most flexible, responsive, and economical mode of transport, ensuring goods reach consumers, and keeping society on the move. European policy makers must not lose sight of this ahead of crucial European elections and a new European Commission mandate in 2024,” added Seidel. “Together, through better collaboration, we can both tackle climate change and safeguard competitiveness.”

Beyond CO2 targets, there is much on truck makers’ agendas for 2024: Euro 7 will require significant efforts; the Weights and Dimensions Directive is pending; and new data rules are potentially on the horizon.

Mr Seidel was elected by members of ACEA’s Commercial Vehicle Board, which brings together the CEOs of DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ford Trucks, Iveco Group, MAN Truck & Bus, Scania, and Volvo Group. He takes over office from Martin Lundstedt, CEO of Volvo Group, who held office for the past two years.

“Let there be no doubt: truck and bus manufacturers are dedicating all their efforts to help decarbonise road transport. But policy makers must match the ambitious targets for vehicle manufacturers with equally ambitious conditions to enable their market uptake”.

Notes for editors

About Harald Seidel, President of DAF Trucks NV

• Harald Seidel joined DAF in 2001 and has held various positions with increasing responsibility within DAF’s finance and control organisation
• In 2017, he was promoted to the position of Director of Finance and member of the DAF Board of Management, followed by his promotion to DAF President in 2022
• Harald Seidel obtained a master’s degree in Econometrics from Tilburg University and a postgraduate controller’s degree from the University of Amsterdam

>About ACEA

• ACEA’s seven Commercial Vehicle Board member companies are DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ford Trucks, Iveco Group, MAN Truck & Bus, Scania, and Volvo Group
• Read more about trucks and their critical role in our fact sheet: https://www.acea.auto/fact/fact-sheet-trucks/
• ACEA represents the 15 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group
• Visit www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on www.twitter.com/ACEA_auto or www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/

About the EU automobile industry

• 12.9 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
• 8.3% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
• €392.2 billion in tax revenue for European governments
• €101.9 billion trade surplus for the European Union
• Over 7% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
• €59.1 billion in R&D spending annually, 31% of EU total

Media Contact:

Cara McLaughlin
Communications Director
cm@acea.auto
+32 485 88 66 47

Ben Kennard
Content Editor and Press Manager
bk@acea.auto
+32 487 39 21 82

SOURCE: ACEA