ATVEA: Striving for Safe Quad Use in Europe

BRUSSELS, Belgium (May 28) – ATVEA, the European association of Quad (ATV) vehicle producers has officially introduced itself yesterday in Brussels. The All Terrain Vehicle Industry European Association consists of a board plus technical, educational and marketing committees. The administration of ATVEA is in Brussels. The association’s goal is to promote sensible use of the Quad by means of uniform technical regulations and training programs for safe use. In the association’s view, the Quad is in the first place an all-terrain vehicle and as such not intended for extensive road use or road use only. In view of the rapidly growing Quad market in Europe, ATVEA president Herry van Klein Willigen insists that today’s great variety in national regulations for the distinct markets be harmonized asap. Founding members of ATVEA are the European subsidiaries of Arctic, Bombardier, Honda, Kawasaki, Polaris, Suzuki and Yamaha. Participation of more (Taiwanese) producers, Klein van Willigen suggests, should enlarge the basis of ATVEA. “Next to that, the local lobby in the various markets should work on the awareness that a Quad is something completely different. Our ideal prospect for the future would be national associations under our banner.”(AH)