Toyota rumored to be admitted to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association this week

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Citing sources close to the matter, Automotive News Europe reported today that Toyota will finally become a member of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) with the announcement to be held later this week. Toyota not only makes cars in Europe but they’re also selling them like hot croissants with Toyota Group (Toyota & Lexus) finishing in the 8th place overall in Europe in 2006 with 866.831 units. That’s above BMW Group (793.077 units) and under DaimlerChrysler (922.461 units).

So even if several European big-players aren’t exactly enthusiastic about the idea, times have changed and they can’t continue avoiding the Japanese firm any more. What’s that I hear -Hyundai…? Well, if we don’t have any dramatic changes with the Chinese manufactures, I’d guess they’re up next on the list. -Continued below
And a few words on ACEA. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association was founded in 1991, represents the interests of the 13 European car, truck and bus manufacturers at EU level and its headquarters are based in Brussels and made up of the Secretary General and the Secretariat. In 1995, ACEA opened a second office in Tokyo.

Current members of ACEA: BMW Group, Porsche AG, DAF Trucks, PSA Peugeot-Citroen, DaimlerChrysler AG, Renault SA, Fiat S.p.A, Scania AB, Ford of Europe, VW AG, GM Europe, AB Volvo, MAN AG.