MG Motor UK helps set international automotive standards

Just 18 months before the introduction of eCall (mandatory in-car emergency call system for all new type approval vehicles sold within the European Union), MG Motor UK has confirmed its involvement as part of the CEN TC278/WG15 intelligent transport systems working group.

Through Guillaume Honore – Telematics Engineer at the SAIC Motor Technical Centre (SMTC), which is based at MG’s Longbridge site in Birmingham – MG will play a key role in the ongoing development of eCall.

As one of just 60 global members, only seven of whom are based in the UK, Guillaume will represent MG and the wider British automotive industry within the steering group, exchanging knowledge, best practice and industry experience, as well as consulting on the wider capabilities of in-car emergency technologies.

Alongside managing the preparation of standards in the run-up to eCall’s legislative roll-out across Britain, Guillaume will help to guide the integration of other state-of-the-art features into eCall capability, as well as work to identify additional benefits offered by cellular network connectivity.

Speaking about his involvement, Guillaume commented: “Being named as an expert within the CEN TC278/WG15 working group is a real honour. For MG, being part of the platform will help us to maintain our position as a forward-thinking automotive business, continually looking to identify new technologies and industry-leading capabilities.”

From March 2018, all new type approval cars sold within the European Union must be fitted with an approved eCall system. In the event of an accident, the system will transmit essential data – including type of vehicle, fuel used, time of accident and location – directly to the emergency services.

The European Commission estimates that, once eCall technology is implemented across the continent, hundreds of lives could be saved every year.