The European motor industry was challenged to do more to recognise and meet the needs of the growing number of older and disabled motorists.

The issue was raised at the European Mobility Debate, organised by Motability in conjunction with the Forum of Mobility Centres, Department for Transport and Department for Work and Pensions.

It brought together speakers and delegates from the USA, Japan and across Europe to focus on demographics, design and disability.

Delegates heard that there are some 50 million disabled people in Europe today. This number will increase with an ageing population. That population will have considerable purchasing power in the motoring and other consumer sectors.

The key issues debated were summed up in a series of challenges including a call for:

- Better understanding in the motor industry that older and disabled people represent a key and growing market segment whose needs must be taken on board at the earliest design stage ;

- Improved communication between the motor industry and the adaptation and conversion industries so that there is greater technical support in converting and adapting vehicles to meet disabled people’s needs.

Summing up a debate in which senior motor industry spokesmen were challenged on their current policies and practices, Christopher Macgowan, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders agreed that there was “a real disconnect in the UK between manufacturers, converters and adapters” and spoke of the need for a “more business-like relationship” to be established between the them.