Latest news with #WillemGroenewald
Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
FIA, SEMA Join Forces to Shape US Auto Safety Regulations
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A new partnership between two major auto industry organizations is poised to change the way Americans buy, rent, operate, accessorize and repair their vehicles. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), a non-profit global governing body for motorsports, has accepted the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) as a full member to represent the U.S. The working agreement is designed to give an amplified voice to the auto industry, which has a $337 billion annual impact, in the country. "This alliance unites two powerful forces. SEMA's deep connection to American car culture and the FIA's global leadership in mobility and safety. Together, we are shaping US transportation policy to better serve everyday consumers. As decisions are made at both national and international levels about the future of mobility, we're at the table to ensure the voice of real car owners is heard, championing innovation, safety, personal freedom, and sustainable growth through thought leadership and global best practice," Willem Groenewald, FIA secretary general for mobility, told Newsweek. There are five areas the partnership has eyed to impact: safer vehicles, a unified voice, aftermarket freedom of choice, economic opportunity and protecting motoring heritage. A driver uses the Super Cruise hands-free advanced driver assistance system in an Escalade IQ SUV. A driver uses the Super Cruise hands-free advanced driver assistance system in an Escalade IQ SUV. General Motors In its crosshairs are real world applications for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). "As cars are increasingly equipped with ADAS, and globally we are seeing a clear advancement in autonomous vehicles, having both SEMA and the FIA at the table ensures that safety standards reflect real-world driving needs, not just abstract regulations. Safer, more reliable systems that are driver focused, with both organizations working as independent consumer champions," Groenewald said. When it comes to rulemaking, the partnership is expected to be particularly fruitful. "The combined credibility of SEMA and FIA will help ensure we have a seat at the table for these discussions, particularly as discussions kick off to reauthorize the Federal Highway Bill. That bill will have major implications to transportation policy, with particular focus on mandated technology in new vehicles," Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA's senior vice president for public and government affairs, said. Bailey-Chapman used the example of the recent passage of a law in California to show the might of the partnership. "We're also already seeing the impact of this relationship in California, where FIA submitted a letter of support for Leno's Law (SB 712), which seeks to preserve California's rich automotive history by exempting vehicles 35 years or older from the state's stringent smog check requirements, ensuring that these iconic cars remain on the road and remain a part of California's cultural identity when entered into private vehicle collections." "With less than one percent of vehicles in the state eligible under this law, the environmental impact would be negligible, yet this is a key step in protecting historic vehicles and aligning with legislation cross-globally," Groenewald added. The partnership intends to make the drivers of today and tomorrow in focus, to be their voice and advocates. "Drivers need someone in their corner who can speak to their needs as vehicle owners, and that's a role that SEMA and FIA have played for years. It can be seen in how closely aligned our organizations are on issues like preserving automotive culture, of finding ways to embrace and foster new automotive technologies and innovation in a practical way, and in preserving the rights of families and businesses to choose the vehicles that are best for them," Bailey-Chapman said.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
FIA sack head of inclusion & diversity in restructure
Formula 1's governing body the FIA has sacked the latest in a series of senior figures after eradicating the role of head of sustainability, diversity and Mariani wrote a note that appeared to be critical of the body's leadership as she left the FIA on who had been head of sustainability, diversity and inclusion for just 18 months, wrote: "There is a life outside the FIA. A life where talent and dedication are rewarded. Where women in leadership positions can thrive, feel valued and respected."Her role was removed as part of an internal restructure that split her responsibilities across two separate FIA has been contacted for comment on the specific allegations made by Maraini in her note, which was on her email was unavailable for FIA statement said it was moving sustainability under the remit of the secretary general for mobility, Willem Groenewald, and diversity and inclusion under senior human resources director Alessandra said this would "allow the FIA to combine its internal and external efforts on D&I"Mariani was recruited over an eight-month period through 2023 and took on her role in December of that FIA statement said that the decision to remove her role had been taken "following a period of review".Mariani is the second major FIA figure to leave this year, following the resignation of the deputy president for sport, Robert Reid, in April. And it marks the continuation of a trend under the presidency of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who is running for re-election this year and is so far the past year, Sulayem has sacked the FIA's head of compliance Paolo Basarri, the head of the audit committee Bertrand Badre and committee member Tom Purves, the FIA's chief executive officer Natalie Robyn, F1 race director Niels Wittich, senior F1 steward Tim Mayer and deputy Formula 2 race director Janette Tan. These departures come against the backdrop of a series of changes to the FIA statutes introduced by Sulayem, which critics say reduce accountability and good governance and enhance the president's latest changes, voted through at last week's FIA General Assembly with a huge majority, were characterised by one opponent as being an example of a "dark period of democratic backsliding". Sulayem has been the centre of a series of controversies since he was elected, including the emergence of misogynistic remarks on a historic seeking to justify those remarks in December 2023, external, Sulayem pointed to his setting up of the FIA's commission for equality, diversity and inclusion as evidence of a strong track record on the also mentioned that he had been the first president to appoint a female CEO. Robyn lasted the same period of time in her role as did Mariani.
