Report calls for right-hand drivin
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• British truck and van mar facturers will suffer in a unifit European market unless we change over to driving on the right, says Doug Clare of Lin vigsen Associates, co-author the Ludvigsen Report for the European Commission on big ness opportunities in the pos1 1992 harmonised market.
Speaking at an Institute of the Motor Industry confererg last week, Clare warned of tt dangers of inaction: "The industry across Europe could r duce its cost base by almost 6% if it takes fullest advantag of free-market conditions, bu. British manufacturers buildim predominantly right-hand-driv vehicles will carry a cost pen; ty," he said.
"We have to face up to thE fact that a change is inevitable," Clare told Commercial Motor. "It will cost money bu it can be done. Sweden switc ed to driving on the right in a five-year phased plan."
A former managing direct° of SEAT UK and marketing manager of Volkswagen in Bi tam, Clare speaks from expel ence — but he has received little support in Government circles.
El Involving operators in the policy process of government and the design process of manufacturers is the brief of operators' committee set up I the Automobile Division of th Institute of Mechanical Engineers.
Committee chairman Terry Goldrick, will use the I Mech E's membership of various British Standards Institution committees and direct consultation with Government to advise on the most suitable vehicle engineering for road transport.
The I Mech E is also repre sented on the Road Transpori Forum, formed in 1983 to act as an advisory body to the D1