SAVIEM
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1. We foresee a general expansion rate of 5 or 6 per cent per year in France and the EEC over the next 10 years. The same average figures should apply to the road transport market, with possible local variations. We believe especially that there will be an expansion of international road traffic inside the EEC, in connection with a large increase in the motorways.
2. We want to share in the expansion of the road transport markets in as many countries as possible. For the present, we export one-third of our production to about 60 countries and we put a high value on building worthy service facilities before undertaking a new venture.
3. Rationalization of production is indeed what we are looking for — like others whose policy is based on co-operative agreements. We entered into contracts with 1V1AN of West Germany, Alfa Romeo of Italy, and not long ago with DAF (Holland), Volvo (Sweden) and KHD (W. Germany). Each contract affects one part of our vehicle range and aims at enlarging the series of components produced by each partner — who, however, remains independent. This last point is important.
4. The first six EEC countries have compromised on an 11-ton axle limit, French transport authorities giving up the 13-ton standard — which obviously affords hauliers a better operational economy — in order to help in building Europe. Now the 11-ton basis should be admitted by the nine EEC countries as soon as possible, as we have already started working on it to pave the way to future generations of vehicles. In addition, maximum gvw should be at least 40 tons to allow transport of the larger containers.
But these points are only some of the many technical standards which need harmonization: brakes, turning radius, overall dimensions, among many others.
5. There is a danger that the construction of new vehicles during the next 20 years may be influenced less by technological improvements than by technical regulations. However, in 20 years' time diesel engines are likely to have much improved performance but greatly reduced noise and pollution; transmissions should become more and more complex — but easier to operate, with automatic gearboxes, converters etc:disc brakes should come into use; comfort, habitability, quietness and aesthetics of commercial vehicles should progress like the similar characteristics of private cars. Saviem has research teams working up these points; special reference is being made to safety devices and to different ways of reducing the number and consequences of accidents.