06Nov6 November, 2024

Protecting Public Interest in the Used Car Market

On November 5, 2024, CITA, in collaboration with carVertical, hosted an enlightening webinar titled “How does the protection of the public interest shape used car market transparency?”. Led by carVertical’s Head of Communications, Matas Buzelis, the event addressed critical issues surrounding odometer fraud, a common and costly problem that artificially inflates car values. Citing recent data, carVertical highlighted the financial impact of odometer manipulation across Europe, with buyers in some countries overpaying by up to 25% for tampered vehicles.

The speaker discussed carVertical’s “Market Transparency Index,” a signature tool that leverages millions of vehicle history reports to rank and compare transparency levels across several countries. The index evaluates critical factors such as odometer fraud rates, historical damage records, import data, and average vehicle age, which are crucial for consumers to make informed decisions and avoid scams.

Cross-border car trade, which offers consumers a wider selection of vehicles and competitive prices, was also explored. However, it was noted that this trend can lead to increased fraud due to inconsistent data exchange between countries. carVertical highlighted the importance of robust digital data and collaborative efforts among institutions to mitigate these risks and safeguard consumers.

DOWNLOAD HERE THE PRESENTATIO N

24Oct24 October, 2024

CITA RAG Africa Conference 2024

The CITA RAG Africa Conference 2024, held on October 22-23 in Nairobi - Kenya, brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving the African vehicle fleet. Organized by CITA in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the event focused on road safety, sustainability, and reducing vehicle emissions.

Day 1: Shaping the Future of African Mobility
The conference opened with remarks from CITA President Gerhard Müller, UNEP’s Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, and Kenyan officials. A roundtable discussion explored PTI models for Africa, featuring experts like CITA’s Technical Vice President Pascal Buekenhoudt and IWG’s Dries van Tonder. The panel emphasized the need for tailored solutions that align with Africa's unique vehicle market.

Institutional representatives from UNEP, UNECA, and UNECE shared global perspectives on sustainable mobility, while African speakers, including Kenya’s NTSA Deputy Director Joel Akomo, discussed local challenges. Key sessions highlighted road safety in Uganda and vehicle inspection systems in Egypt and Sierra Leone.

Day 2: Focus on Emissions and Regional Solutions
The second day featured case studies on vehicle emissions testing from Kampala and Delhi. Presenters Kharim Kibuuka and Anirudh Narla shared insights into how targeted policies can address emissions challenges. A panel on harmonizing vehicle standards across Africa followed, with discussions led by regional representatives from the East African Community and Northern Corridor.

Country-specific measures to improve vehicle fleets were shared by representatives from Rwanda, Ghana, and Kenya. Private sector involvement was highlighted in presentations by Isuzu East Africa and Maridady Motors, underscoring the importance of collaboration between governments and businesses.

A Path Forward for African Mobility
The CITA RAG Africa Conference 2024 successfully brought together diverse perspectives to drive improvements in African transportation. As participants concluded with a visit to the NTSA Likoni Road Inspection Centre, the collective commitment to a safer, cleaner vehicle fleet across the continent was clear, setting the stage for continued progress.

DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATIONS

15Oct15 October, 2024

SGS Convention Highlights

The SGS Convention, held on October 12, 2024, in Brussels, brought together employees and franchised companies from across France for an afternoon of key discussions and networking. The event focused on the latest advancements in the technical control of two-wheeled vehicles, an increasingly important issue across Europe.

A highlight of the convention was the participation of Mr. Eduard Fernández, Executive Director of CITA, who engaged in a Q&A session. He provided an overview of CITA and shared updates on European directives affecting vehicle inspections.

Mr. Fernández emphasized that some countries have successfully implemented motorcycle inspection programs, improving safety, vehicle maintenance, and reducing pollution. He also addressed the ongoing revisions to the European directive on vehicle inspections, which aim to expand safety checks, emissions testing, and data-sharing among member states.

14Oct14 October, 2024

The 14th Florence Intermodal Forum: Road Safety

The 14^th Florence Intermodal Forum, which took place on 11 October 2024 at Villa Schifanoia in Florence, brought together key stakeholders to discuss road safety and the utilization of data generated by connected vehicles for the public good. The event was co-organized by the Florence School of Regulation’s Transport Area, the European Commission's DG MOVE, and DG GROW, and centred around critical questions regarding how vehicle data can be harnessed to enhance road safety across Europe.

Gerhard Müller, the President of CITA, made a significant contribution to the discussion with his presentation, in which he introduced CITA's work and underscored the pivotal role of data access for vehicle inspections. Müller emphasized that data is crucial for evaluating both safety and emissions behaviour in vehicles, which are critical to the development of safer and more environmentally responsible transport systems.

During the subsequent discussion, Müller expanded on key issues regarding data ownership, vehicle automation, and the need for coherent legislation across Europe. He clarified that, generally, drivers own the data generated by their vehicles, not the OEMs. This distinction is important as it reflects a need for clear frameworks to protect drivers' rights while ensuring the responsible use of data in public safety initiatives.

One of Müller’s key messages was the call for at least EU-wide legislation to govern these developments, noting that national-level legislation would be insufficient. With vehicles crossing borders and new technologies rapidly evolving, a unified European approach is necessary to create consistent standards across the EU.

Müller also stressed the need to balance competitiveness with safety. He argued that the better the automated functions of vehicles are, and the safer European vehicles become, the more competitive they will be on the global market. By focusing on safety improvements, European vehicles can not only protect their users but also maintain a strong competitive edge.

Finally, Müller called for European legislation to become more flexible and quicker in its response to the fast pace of technological advancements in modern vehicles. The automotive industry is evolving rapidly, and legislation needs to keep up to ensure safety while fostering innovation.

More detailed information here

09Oct9 October, 2024

A new CITA member from China: Shijiazhuang Huayan Transportation Technology Co., Ltd.

Shijiazhuang Huayan Transportation Technology Co., Ltd., founded in 1987, is the one of the earliest manufacturers to research, develop and produce vehicle inspection equipment in China:

Wholly owned holding company of Zemic
Leading company of motor vehicle inspection industry in China
Participated in the formulation and revision of more than 50 motor vehicle products and technical standards
More than 3000 domestic and foreign customers

Please visit their website

07Oct7 October, 2024

A Technical Exchange Between Finnish and Italian PTI Associations

On October 4th, a technical exchange took place in Catania, Italy, organized by FederIspettori who hosted the Finnish association Yksityisten Katsastustoimipaikkojen Liitto ry, presided over by Björn Ziessler. This event underscored the value of international cooperation and shared learning within the vehicle inspection sector, highlighting the fruitful relationship fostered through both associations' membership in the CITA. It is thanks to CITA that such meaningful exchanges become possible, promoting shared standards and collaboration across borders.

The first phase of the exchange involved an in-depth presentation by FederIspettori on the Italian vehicle inspection system, including an honest overview of its critical points and challenges. The event then shifted to the practical side, featuring visits to key inspection facilities in the Catania area. The delegation started by visiting a light vehicle inspection center, followed by a visit to the Motorizzazione Civile of Catania. In the afternoon, the group continued their exploration by visiting a heavy vehicle inspection center, offering a more comprehensive view of how vehicle inspections are managed across different sectors in Italy.

Special thanks go out to all partners who generously made their facilities available for these visits (Regione Sicilia for granting access to the Motorizzazione Civile of Catania, Revauto Srl for the heavy vehicle inspection center, and Centro Revisioni Pit Stop Sorbello for hosting the light vehicle inspection line) and the impeccable organization and hospitality of the Sicily section of FederIspettori.

07Oct7 October, 2024

A new CITA member from Portugal: IMT, I.P.

The Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes, I.P. (IMT, I.P.)'s mission is to exercise technical regulation, licensing, coordination, inspection and planning functions in the field of land and river transport and their respective infrastructures, as well as in the economic aspect of commercial ports and maritime transport sector.

In the field of land transport it’s main activities are:

Authorise public passenger transport services;
Authorise, license and supervise the exercise of land transport and complementary activities, including coordinating the licensing process and the management of platforms and other logistics facilities, under the terms of the applicable legislation;
Certifying land transport professionals and promoting driver licensing, recognising, licensing and supervising the training and examination centers subject to its supervision;
Define the conditions for issuing, revalidating, exchanging and seizing driving licences and professional certificates.
Monitoring the application of social regulations in the field of road transport, as the national authority responsible for implementing the respective control instruments (tachographs);
Approving, homologating and certifying vehicles and equipment used in land transport systems, guaranteeing the required technical and safety standards, licensing the entities involved in the certification and inspection processes;
Promoting technical improvements in road and rail vehicles, with the aim of improving safety and efficiency in the operation of road and rail transport, interoperability and reducing negative environmental impacts.
Ensuring the management of national registers in the transport sector, namely of vehicles, inspection centres, drivers, driving schools, transport companies and complementary activities, public passenger transport services and transport professionals, and railway infrastructures;
Managing the standards and processes of the electronic vehicle identification system;

Please visit their website

17Sep17 September, 2024

CITA EU Manifesto for a Sustainable and Safer Road Transport Future

As the EU prepares for its new institutional mandate, CITA is dedicated to ensuring that emerging vehicle technologies drive a safer, cleaner, and more efficient road transport system. With vehicles playing a crucial role in society and the economy, we are at a pivotal moment to maximize technological advancements while addressing key challenges in road safety and sustainability.

A Regulatory Framework for the Future

The upcoming EU mandate will shape how vehicle technologies influence Europe's transport landscape. CITA calls for a regulatory framework aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Vision Zero, and climate action, focusing on these key areas:

Comprehensive Vehicle Oversight
The European Commission must establish necessary structures to provide a coordinated and comprehensive overview of vehicle regulation throughout their legal lifespan. This approach ensures that vehicles remain compliant with safety and environmental standards, from production to end-of-life.
Integrated Decarbonization and Safety
Decarbonization efforts must consider road safety and emission controls to protect both people and the environment.
Support for New Technologies
A strong regulatory framework is needed to ensure the safe and harmonized implementation of new technologies across the EU.
Fair Access to Vehicle Data
Ensuring equitable, cost-free access to vehicle systems and data for essential government functions, including approval and inspection processes.
Risk-Based Vehicle Regulation
A smarter approach to regulation should focus on vehicle risks, such as age and condition, ensuring that higher-risk vehicles are prioritized.
Addressing New Transport Modes
Regulatory frameworks must incorporate emerging transport modes, such as micromobility, to ensure their safe integration.

Key Priorities for the Next Five Years

Vehicle self-diagnosis systems like ADAS are essential but insufficient for full compliance. In the next mandate, CITA recommends:

Transparency in Electric Vehicle Fleets
Develop impartial assessments of electric vehicle batteries, especially their state of health, to ensure fleet electrification progresses responsibly.

Evaluation of Advanced Driving Systems
Create reliable, impartial methods to assess ADAS and autonomous systems throughout a vehicle's lifespan to maintain safety standards.

Finalizing the Roadworthiness Package
Complete the development of particle and nitrogen oxide emission testing to ensure vehicles meet environmental standards.

CITA is committed to collaborating with policymakers and industry stakeholders to build a regulatory environment that balances innovation with safety and sustainability.

By addressing the critical issues outlined in this manifesto, we believe the next EU mandate can unlock the full potential of new vehicle technologies while making significant strides toward achieving Europe’s sustainability and road safety goals.

Download the Manifesto

16Sep16 September, 2024

FSD celebrates 20th anniversary

Last week, on 12 September 2024, FSD Fahrzeugsystemdaten GmbH - Zentrale Stelle marked its 20th anniversary in Radeberg, Germany, with a symposium titled "The Modern Main Inspection and New Vehicle Technologies." The event gathered key figures from the automotive inspection sector to discuss the impact of new vehicle technologies on periodic technical inspection (PTI).

Notable attendees included Richard Damm from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), State Secretary Fröhlich from the Saxon State Ministry of Economic Affairs, managers from major testing organizations, German OEMs, academic representatives, and international delegates from Luxembourg and South Korea, including the Director of KAVIC.

A highlight was the participation of CITA President Gerhard MÜLLER, who delivered a speech on the global importance of PTI, emphasizing the need for international collaboration in adapting to advanced vehicle technologies. The CITA Executive Director Eduard FERNÁNDEZ was also in attendance, reinforcing the organization's role in shaping the future of global inspection standards.

The symposium explored innovations like electric vehicles and autonomous systems, showcasing FSD’s leadership in developing data-driven solutions for evolving vehicle inspections. As technology advances, FSD remains a key player in ensuring road safety and compliance.

More detailed information here

12Sep12 September, 2024

CITA hosted a Benin Delegation for Training on PTI and EVs

On 12 September 2024, CITA welcomed a delegation of six senior officials from Benin's Ministry of Transport, accompanied by two experts, to its Brussels facility for training on Periodic Technical Inspections (PTI) and future hybrid/electric vehicle inspections.

Led by Mr. Olivier Pletinckx, CITA's Technical Manager, the training focused on the evolving challenges of inspecting electric vehicles and ensuring their roadworthiness. The delegation is currently pursuing a Master II in Road Safety (DUSRA) at Université Gustave Eiffel in Aix-Marseille, France, and this program extended their academic learning with practical insights into modern vehicle inspection protocols.

This initiative underscores Benin's commitment to improving road safety and adapting to new vehicle technologies, while highlighting CITA’s role in fostering international collaboration and knowledge sharing in the transport sector.