Gűnter Verheugen, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, has met at Lingotto with Fiat CEO, Sergio Marchionne to discuss the situation of the automotive industry in the European Union, in particular how to overcome the current crisis and ensure the sector’s long term competitiveness and employment.

The meeting confirmed that this crucial sector is undergoing a difficult period calling for public support at European and national level as set out in the European Economic Recovery Program. To remain competitive the European car of the future needs to be the most innovative, safest, and cleanest. Industry must continuously invest in research and development and retain its skilled workforce.

After the meeting, the Commissioner visited the head office of Iveco, where he was greeted by the Iveco CEO, Paolo Monferino, and had the opportunity to see several new and prototype cars, vans and trucks highlighting Fiat’s leading position in developing innovative technologies and environmentally-friendly engines.

More specifically: the Multiair® technology, soon to be available on the market, which offers significantly reduced consumption and CO2 emissions and is both Euro 5 and Euro 6 compliant; and, the two-cylinder SGE engine (Small Gasoline Engine), with extremely low CO2 emissions, which will be offered on A and B segment cars.

The following concept cars were also on exhibit: the "Croma Insafes", developed as part of a European research project and equipped with a system of sensors which aid the driver in monitoring situations of potential risk; the "Fiat 500 Aria", equipped with the latest systems designed to significantly reduce consumption and emissions; and, the "Panda Kyoto", with a highly-efficient climate control system.