The general assembly of European motorcycle manufacturers’ association ACEM has appointed BMW Motorrad boss Stephan Schaller as its new president. Schaller is replacing his predecessor at BMW’s motorcycle division, Hendrik von Kuenheim, who had headed up ACEM since 2011 but recently moved on to fresh pastures in BMW Group car operations.
Commenting on his appointment, Schaller said: “Over recent years the European motorcycle industry has done much to respond to the pressing challenges posed by the economic crisis, with the aim of moving towards greener and safer mobility while returning to sustainable job-creating growth. Much has been accomplished. However, the stagnation of economic activity forecast for 2013 and the unacceptably high levels of unemployment in the EU emphasise how crucial it is to accelerate efforts to support European manufacturing as a matter of priority while pursuing a coherent European transport policy based on clean, efficient and smart mobility.”
ACEM has also welcomed its 14th member to the fold — Renault. This French automotive manufacturing giant has joined the organisation because it now produces an electric quadricycle, the Twizy.