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