Leaders of the automobile industry and youth from Europe meet in Brussels to discuss future of mobility

• Members of a community including European automobile industry leaders and youth have come together in Brussels to pursue in person a conversation that began on-line
• Selected youth members of the community co-created a “Book of Ideas”, which they presented to EU and industry leaders
• The ideas are now being seeded back into online forum – http://www.futuremobilitynow.com – in order to broaden the discussion across Europe

The leaders of today’s major vehicle makers met with the drivers of tomorrow’s industry as part of a growing community formed around a shared interest in the evolution of mobility the coming years. During a summit event this afternoon at Autoworld Brussels, the members of this group symbolically expressed their pledge to continuing this multi-faceted discussion as each signed the logo that represents the community. 

“Many decades ago, young entrepreneurs across Europe such as Carl Benz, the Renault brothers or Ferdinand Porsche advanced an invention that gave people not only individual mobility, but the social and economic mobility that comes with it. That’s why it is important today to ask the next generation for their view of the future of mobility and transport and to have them heard by the European policy makers” stated Dieter Zetsche, president of ACEA in his welcome speech for the summit.

The online community of “Our Future Mobility Now”, hosted at www.futuremobilitynow.com, is relatively new, but growing fast. Since April 2011 it has received thousands visits from 112 countries and more than 200 young adults submitted their thoughts as part of a competition to participate in this exceptional event in Brussels.

The final 45 delegates, selected by an independent committee, travelled from all over Europe to attend the summit and to meet EU and industry leaders – and each other – for the first time since the launch of the community. “From the entries we received, we saw that the younger generation is focused on greener energies, technological developments, and the growing importance of public transport in future societies. It is intriguing to see how these thoughts have evolved through the exchange and interaction with each other and with the leaders currently facing the challenges of bringing these changes to market” commented Ignacio Salinas from the think tank “Think Young” and member of the selection committee for the competition.

During specially created workshops the day prior to the summit, the young delegates worked collectively in small groups to create a “Book of Ideas”. This Book was presented to all participants of the summit including European Commissioners, MEPs, and CEOs of the largest automotive manufactures in Europe.

A unique exhibition will be running on 24 and 25 June in Autoworld Brussels, providing a sneak peek on new developments in connectivity, manufacturing and skills, infrastructure, technology, and concepts that will shape mobility in the years to come. Our Future Mobility Now works closely together with the project Youth on the Move from the European Institutions.