About us
The European Automotive Cluster Network EACN is the leading network of clusters active in the fields of automotive, transport and mobility in Europe. It has been initiated in 2017 by eight clusters and grew to reach today 24 clusters from 11 European countries.
EACN represents more than 3.000 companies covering the whole value chain, R&D institutions, public authorities, and other institutions. All OEMs and main Tier-1 suppliers with plants in Europe are members in at least one of EACN’s clusters.
The network is governed by an Executive Board of six Cluster Managers, the current President is Bruno Grandjean, Director General of Pôle Véhicule du Futur (France). The annual General Assembly brings together all clusters and is the place where decisions are taken.
EACN also collaborates in five working groups: Industry 4.0/Industrial modernisation; Supply Chain, Mobility, Skills & Competences, and Clean, connected, and autonomous vehicles (CCAV).
Our mission
EACN pursues three strategic objectives:
1. Strengthen competitiveness of the European automotive industry
2. Foster cooperation among member clusters
3. Boost transnational and international business and innovation among cluster members
Therefore, EACN clusters collaborate to
– initiate and facilitate business between members
– stimulate European and transnational R&D project
– participate in partner events and organise joint events
– identify partner opportunities and help finding partners
– join forces through best practices exchanges, joint working groups
EACN is an interlocutor for the European Commission and other European institutions to discuss issues concerning the automotive industry and especially SMEs in the value network. EACN also participates in the Automotive Skills Alliance and supports actions helping training people to adopt to new challenges.
Our vision
The European automotive industry faces unprecedented challenges with regard to 4 P’s:
Product
We are in the middle of a revolution defined by the CASE acronym (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electrified). In particular, the speed of the transition from internal combustion engines to electric powertrains is a formidable challenge to overcome.
Processes
Virtualisation, digitalisation, … optimise design and development.
Production
Additive manufacturing, robotics, responsive maintenance, new materials, … introduce new ways of making cars.
People
In such a context, people must adapt to fast evolving working environments, and be trained for so far unusual skills, …
The impacts of the recent sanitary crisis on global supply chains highlighted European’s dependence on some countries and world regions for parts and raw materials and raised awareness for the need for a more sustainable and resilient European automotive industry ecosystem.
EACN brings together experts with exciting competences from around Europe, and their cumulated know-how and cooperation allow for an optimal support of companies and cluster members in addressing these challenges and in strengthening their position in Europe and around the world.
