Mobility and decarbonization, the themes on the table of ForumAutoMotive 2021

Mobility and decarbonisation. These are the themes at the center of the round tables that opened the #ForumAutomotive works scheduled at the Melià hotel in Milan on Monday 25 October. Divided into four distinct moments, the event was inaugurated by the preview presentation of the Findomestic Observatory data on ‘New consumer purchasing behaviors’, anticipated by Mauro Fritzsching, Findomestic’s Head of Automotive Marketing. A study that confirms how the approach of those who want to buy a car has changed in the years of Covid, with a strong impact on motorization given that “58 percent of respondents highlight the desire to switch to hybrid or electric” . A desire supported by the recovery of confidence and the reduced perception of increases compared to other assets, but in a climate of great confusion. “Only 50 percent of prospective customers have a vague idea of ​​the differences between the various technologies, an uncertainty that strengthens the role of dealerships. In fact, 73 percent prefer to rely on a car showroom, in contrast with the explosion of online sales ”. The first round table gathered the voices of dealers, the most directly in contact with motorists. The second part of the afternoon was instead dedicated to the voice of the supply chain. “LPG is confirmed as the first among alternative power supplies – remarks Andrea Arzà, president of Federchimica-Assogasliquidi – the latest Aci surveys return a share equal to 63% of the total circulating power supplies and despite the contraction of the auto market, in September LPG stood at 9.4% of total registrations. If we talk about decarbonisation, the liquefied gas industry can be of great help to the ecological transition thanks to bioGpl and blends with renewable products (and bioGnl for heavy transport), these solutions can be directly integrated into the distribution network and vehicles, without any investment in refueling infrastructures “. “Our country, compared to the major European markets, has not equipped itself with a strategic plan to support the auto sector and incentives for consumers to aim at achieving the decarbonisation objectives – observes Michele Crisci, President of Unrae – We are late, but next Budget Law is a great opportunity to support the ecological transition with a view to sustainability and direct resources towards a program to replace the most polluting cars with new generation cars, implement an urgent development and implementation plan for recharging infrastructures to high power throughout the Italian territory with specific reference to our motorways and to promptly review the taxation on cars in general and on company cars in particular “. “The companies in the supply chain must focus on advantageous synergies and aggregations in order to face the enormous investments necessary for the transformation and to guarantee themselves a future competitive advantage, also looking at the acquisition of new skills from Italian and foreign companies. All this is achievable if there is a national strategic plan to accompany companies in the process of conversion with adequate support tools, which we hope for a rapid and effective definition “, observes Paolo Scudieri, President of Anfia.