In 2024, the Drive+ platform successfully expanded its membership base all the while enhancing its collaborative efforts with Drive Sustainability OEMs. A key highlight of the year was the in-person workshop held in June, where Suppliers and OEMs jointly outlined the future direction of their collaboration.
In January 2024, Drive+ set a new course with the launch of an updated strategy for the platform. This revised approach remains rooted in its core mission of sharing and learning about sustainability practices within the automotive industry but places a stronger emphasis on collaboration. The enhanced strategy fosters deeper engagement with the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) involved in Drive Sustainability.
A new approach that has been well received, aligning effectively with the expectations and needs of suppliers. As a testament to this alignment, the platform welcomed five new members so far this year:
– Inovance
– GKN Automotive
– Autoliv
– Uniconn
– Samsung SDI
During the Steering Committee held in Brussels last June, Drive Sustainability and Drive+ co-hosted a workshop to initiate discussions on the industry’s efforts towards sustainability. Furthermore, participants explored strategies to comply with upcoming regulatory requirements, such as the EU Battery Regulation (EUBR), the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), and the EU Regulation Forced Labour Free Products. Successfully navigating these regulations requires robust engagement and cooperation across the industry ecosystem through closer partnerships and common actions.
Taking this into account, the two platforms have committed to elevate their joint efforts by launching a pilot project on supply chain mapping and collaboratively developing other solutions destined to enhance access to remedy in the automotive supply chain.
Drive Plus members (October 2024)
Pilot Project on Supply Chain Mapping Tools
OEM representatives and suppliers are currently working together to test available tools designed to achieve comprehensive traceability throughout the supply chain.
The objective of this pilot project is to create and fine-tune a framework that protects the confidentiality of commercial information while enabling transparency throughout the supply chain. This initiative seeks to provide companies with the essential tools and data necessary to demonstrate compliance with European and International supply chain due diligence legislations.
A key priority for both platforms, Drive Sustainability and Drive Plus, is to ensure that the solutions developed do not place redundant or unilateral demands on suppliers.
In line with this objective, one of the most impactful tools developed by Drive Sustainability – the Sustainability Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) – has become a widely adopted sustainability due diligence tool in the automotive industry over the past decade. Since its inception, more than 127,000 SAQs have been completed, assessing over 76,000 suppliers.
Through Drive+, suppliers have been actively involved in the development of new SAQ modules. Currently, three new modules are being developed and tested, with one focused on EUDR compliance and two dedicated to the EUBR.
The efforts to foster closer engagement and collaboration within the industry have proven to be a strategic move for enhancing dialogue between the platforms. OEMs recognize the importance of involving Tier-1 suppliers in their sustainability due diligence efforts to ensure maximum effectiveness. In turn, suppliers can greatly benefit from closer interactions with OEMs, promoting alignment within the automotive industry’s sustainability agenda to avoid duplication of efforts and enhance the efficiency of sustainability initiatives.
For more information:
Please contact Filippo Spiezia, Senior Project Manager
