Global standards on car safety and environmental regs discussed in unprecedented meeting at sidelines of Paris auto show

Chief execs from 13 top automakers pledged to jointly press for global environmental standards in reducing emissions and cutting related costs

Stressed that standardization on some issues such as pollution and safety testing among countries also could help lower costs for automakers doing business on a global scale

Meeting was called by PSA Peugeot Citroen chief executive Jean-Martin Folz, who chairs the Brussels-based European automotive trade assn., ACEA

Folz called the summit a first -- albeit tentative -- step towards greater cooperation in the industry

Joint statement issued after meeting said it was "critical" for them to work together on 3 main issues:

International harmonization of vehicle regulations;

Worldwide acceptance of clean diesel technology;

And the promotion of advanced technology and improved fuel quality worldwide

Automakers vowed to seek greater acceptance of clean diesel technology and greater availability of low- or "sulfur-free" fuels

Also called for improvements in gas fuel quality and stepped-up efforts to promote development and sale of advanced technology vehicles such as hybrids and fuel cells

"International harmonization of technical regulations for motor vehicles will improve safety, protect the environment, and reduce costs for consumers around the world" -- Statement from conference organizers

"There are areas where we all think (harmonization) would make sense and make the industry improve faster. . . There are national differences. It's a question if we can really pick up the pace." -- Rick Wagoner, CEO, General Motors

"I'd love to have technical harmonization." -- Nick Scheele, president and COO, Ford Motor Co. (who attended the meeting along w/ CEO Bill Ford, Jr.)

"Current diesel engines are dramatically more efficient than conventional gasoline engines in terms of both fuel economy and carbon dioxide emissions. Diesel engines also have the potential to meet stringent requirements regarding local emissions." -- Organizers

The rare expression of unity came against the backdrop of growing int'l scrutiny of the industry and what environmentalists see as an almost criminal contribution to global warming through greenhouse gas emissions

Many jurisdictions inc. Calif. have air quality regulations excluding certain clean diesel technologies, which the group sees as an impediment to improved fuel economy, reduced greenhouse gases

Known for fighting bitterly over market share, chief execs are rarely seen w/ a competitor, much less cooperating w/ more than a dozen other automakers

Attending were the heads of BMW AG, DaimlerChrysler AG, Fiat Auto, Ford Motor Co., General Motors, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Porsche AG, Renault SA, Volkswagen AG, Honda Motor Co. Ltd., Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and Mazda Motor Corp.