SEEKING USG PARTICIPATION IN MICHELIN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000887 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EB/OGE, OES/OGC, EUR/RPE, EUR/WE, EUR/PPD DEPT OF ENERGY FOR UNDER SECRETARY GARMAN; CLIMATE CHANGE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM, ATTN RMARLAY DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION EPA FOR DALE MEDEIRIS, PROG MGR EUROPE, INTL AFFAIRS WHITE HOUSE FOR OSTP, CEQ DEPT ALSO PASS NSF FOR INTL SCIENCE AND ENG KSULLIVAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG TRGY ELTN SENV KPAO FR SUBJECT: SEEKING USG PARTICIPATION IN MICHELIN SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY EVENT -- CHALLENGE BIBENDUM REF: 05 PARIS 5383 (NOTAL) Please disseminate this message widely in USG offices concerned with the environment, vehicular land transportation, and energy efficiency. This is an action cable (see para 7). Summary -------------- ¶1. Michelin senior representatives contacted Embassy to urge U.S. participation in the next Michelin Challenge Bibendum that will take place in Paris from 9 to 12 June 2006. This event, which has gained international recognition as the premier "clean and safe vehicle event" worldwide provides an international platform for road vehicle manufacturers, energy suppliers and technology providers to demonstrate state- of-the-art solutions. High attendance is expected. The Embassy views this event as an opportunity for U.S. agencies (e.g., DOE, EPA, DOT, OSTP, CEQ and STATE) to give greater visibility to U.S. contributions and achievements in research towards sustainable mobility. End summary. The Bibendum Event: "Clean Cars Now!" -------------- ¶2. Challenge Bibendum was created in 1998 to celebrate the one-hundredth anniversary of "Bibendum" (Michelin corporate icon known as the "Michelin Man"). This annual event was specifically designed to encourage technical advances that will secure energy supply, protect the environment and improve road safety for future generations. Conceived as a concrete way to bring together and test the best available technologies for road-safe and environmentally-positive vehicles, Challenge Bibendum features vehicles from major vehicle manufacturers on all continents and brings together major stakeholders of auto-mobility: vehicle manufacturers and designers, energy and technology suppliers, academia, opinion leaders, government and non-government organizations. U.S. agencies have participated in past events and U.S. technical presentations are reflected in exposition proceedings. After Los Angeles, Heidelberg, San Francisco, Shanghai and Kyoto, the Challenge Bibendum 2006 will be held in 
Paris, June 9-12. 2006: A special year -------------- ¶3. The Paris event is organized around three themes: -- What are the primary energies and energy carriers for the vehicles of the future? -- What solutions do the new technologies bring to the issues of urban and suburban mobility? and -- What are the contributions and limitations of the new technologies to improving road safety? Besides thematic round tables to debate technical and regulatory developments, technical tests, and ride and drive opportunities, the organizers have also planned a rally in the heart of Paris as an opportunity to meet with the general public, showcase and demonstrate concrete examples of new technologies, and heighten awareness to the current evolutions worldwide. ¶4. Strong international participation and attendance expected: For the first time, the Challenge will be organized in partnership with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Representatives from the EU have been invited and the European institutions are committed to participate actively. Furthermore, the Michelin event has been positioned immediately prior to the 16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Lyon, France, (13-16 June) in order to make participating in both events easier and to build synergy. USG Participation in the event -------------- ¶5. Michelin has informed Embassy that written invitations for Challenge Bibendum have been extended to Energy Secretary Bodman, Transportation Secretary Mineta, and EPA Administrator Johnson. We understand OSTP Director John Marburger, John Connaughton, Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Policy, Jacqueline Glassman, Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and National Science Foundation Director Arden Bement, are among the - or will be - invitees. ¶6. With respect to what the USG can show in Paris, Michelin officials highlighted U.S. efforts that have been made on hybrids, fuel cell vehicles, and alternative fuels. Road safety is a key aspect of Challenge Bibendum 2006 and a presentation detailing U.S. efforts to promote road safety in the U.S. and to assist other nations as they attempt to deal with this problem would be most welcome. Comment: An opportunity for U.S. diplomacy -------------- ¶7. Many French citizens discount the role of the U.S. government in developing efficient, climate-friendly technologies. The Embassy considers the June 2006 event as an excellent opportunity for USG representatives to promote specific U.S. technological innovations related to automobile efficiency. U.S. officials and experts who may be interested in participating should contact: ESTH Counselor Robert Dry, email: dryrw@state.gov; tel: (France area code) (0)1 4312 2589 and Stephen Evered, Michelin North American Director Govt Affairs, tel: 864 458 5080, email: Stephen.evered@us.michelin.com. STAPLETON