Ankara- MAN Truck & Bus SE. has announced that Barbaros Oktay, Head of Bus at MAN Truck & Bus, has been appointed as the new chairman of the bus and coach sector within the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). His mandate will run for one year.
Oktay takes over the role at an important time for Europe’s bus industry, as electrification continues to grow and new policy discussions, including planned “Buy Europe” requirements, are expected to influence the future of European bus manufacturing.
During his term, Oktay will represent European bus manufacturers in discussions with policymakers in Brussels. He said the city bus segment is already one of the most decarbonized areas of the European automotive industry, while buses remain essential for daily mobility across Europe.
Mr. Barbaros Oktay, said, “The city bus is the segment within the entire European automotive industry that is the most decarbonized. At the same time, the daily lives of millions of Europeans would be almost unimaginable without buses. That is why it is particularly important that legislators take the following into account when drafting new regulations: Those who want social, sustainable mobility in cities and regions from Portugal to Poland, from Sweden to Sicily, must not undermine the competitiveness of European bus manufacturers. We need more political support for competitiveness and innovation.”
The appointment comes as the European Commission’s Industrial Accelerator Act places greater focus on industrial value creation in Europe. A key part of the proposal includes “Buy European” regulations, which could require bus manufacturers to have a high share of European products in their value chain to participate in public tenders.
Oktay said European bus manufacturers broadly welcome the idea but warned that the proposed rules could create additional bureaucracy. He said manufacturers would prefer to use their resources for product development, customer benefits and more sustainable transport solutions.
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