"The overall objective of the EAGAR Coordination Action is to benchmark the current public automotive research activities at international level, in particular to benchmark EU countries with North America, Japan, Korea, India, China and other new and emerging economies and to identify potential international cooperation areas. Europe has created a robust methodology to develop good roadmaps, detailing pathways and priorities to meet future European road transport objectives. This has created clear direction for the European automotive industry, research centres & academia. At present, there is no perspective available to compare global RTD strategies and priorities. The analysis and key messages produced from a benchmark study enable Europe to show a clear global perspective of road transport priorities. This global vision assists in defining the future direction of the European automotive sector, which must operate on a global scale to be competitive. The Commission has stated objectives to improve the competitive position of the EU for economic benefit, and benchmarking and competitor assessments are essential tools for developing strategic plans and focussing investments. EAGAR identifies research priorities for an agreed range of countries and economic areas, the level of investment applied and the key areas or sectors supported. This will enable a direct comparison of national automotive R&D policies relating to the environment , safety and congestion. EAGAR will also provide a key perspective on investments designed to improve European competitiveness in the automotive sector."