GM Powertrain Chief to Push for Global Emissions Standards

Dan Nicholson, who takes over as president of the International Federation of Automotive Engineering Societies (FISITA) next spring, plans to use Volkswagen’s ongoing diesel emission scandal as a catalyst to harmonize global emissions standards.

But with China in the process of developing its own emissions standards, the window of opportunity for global harmonization could close quickly, he warns. 

Nicholson, who also is General Motors Co.’s vice president of global powertrain, tells Automotive News that the current attention on emissions testing is an opportunity to adopt common standards. This will allow engineers to focus more on improving fuel economy and reducing emissions rather than passing different regional tests.  

Even though the differences between European and U.S. standards are relatively small, Nicholson says, it costs the industry hundreds of millions of dollars per year to meet both.

Nicholson also calls for greater harmony between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, which typically has more stringent regulations. He says he is encouraged by “unprecedented cooperation” between the two agencies recently.

But with China in the process of developing its own emissions standards, the window of opportunity for global harmonization could close quickly. Calling it a key pivot point, Nicholson warns that such an opportunity may not come again anytime soon.

FISITA has 200,000 automotive engineering members worldwide. Nicholson will replace current president Paul Mascarenas, who retired as CTO of Ford Motor Co. last year.