THE FFVE AND MOTUL PARTNER TO SHARE AUTOMOTIVE KNOWLEDGE

For more than 15 years, Motul has been a strong partner of the French Federation of Vintage Vehicles (FFVE). A partnership born from common values that these two organisations intrinsically share, as they both work for the preservation and transmission of vintage vehicles, the undeniable industrial heritage that they represent, and the industrial and artisanal know-how of the automotive sector.

Supporting the "Transmission of Knowledge" programme was an obvious choice for Motul, which has already been working for more than 12 years to safeguard the motorised rolling heritage as a national sponsor of the Heritage Foundation, thereby seeing its passion for classic vehicles and its desire to support the younger generations in the context of learning and qualifying training combined.

Founded in 2011 by Motul, and whose main objectives are to help young people around the world get into the motoring industry, the Motul Corazon Foundation will accompany the FFVE in:

• Financial support for professionals hosting young students
• The organisation of a "lubricant" masterclass, with Motul experts explaning the different technologies involved in mechanical lubrication
• The provision of a welcome kit for learners
• The development of restoration projects along with the ‘Fondation du Patrimoine’
• Invitations for students to the world’s most beautiful events sponsored by Motul (Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic, Classic Days, Rétromobile...)

From bodywork to saddlery, vintage vehicles require a great deal of know-how. Preserving them is a strong desire of the FFVE, which is multiplying initiatives to preserve them but also to encourage vocations among the younger generations. Knowing how to adjust a carburettor, shape a body part or make a leather top, for example. The French car industry is rich in know-how, but if it is not preserved, these skills risk disappearing because some of them only exist because of vintage vehicles.

Aware of this challenge, the FFVE wanted to ensure the durability of these trades and to safeguard them by creating a programme dedicated to their progression. It was clear that many companies in the sector were experiencing difficulties recruiting personnel trained in classic car techniques.

In February 2020, after signing a sponsorship charter with the CNPA (National Council of Automotive Professions), the approach aimed at developing specific professional training courses for historic vehicles, was made official. Through this charter, the FFVE supports companies in the sector that wish to hire a trainee.

With the support of the ANFA (National Association for Automobile Training), the joint national commission of the automobile services branch has decided to create four professional qualification certificates (CQP): CQP mechanic repairer of old and historic vehicles, CQP sheet metal worker shaper of old and historic vehicles as well as expert certification of these two specialties.

Jean-Louis Blanc, president of the French Federation of Vintage Vehicles, said:

"Vintage vehicles are the testimony of an industrial, economic and social adventure more than a century old, which has transformed the life of our territories and of our compatriots. It is a priceless heritage, of a special kind, because it is on the road, and it must be on the road to retain its meaning. For this reason, the restoration and maintenance of this heritage, which is a growing economic activity, requires know-how that must be maintained. This is the aim of the "Transmission of Knowledge" programme that the FFVE launched two years ago, in partnership with the CNPA. We are very grateful to Motul, a long-standing partner of the FFVE, for committing itself alongside us to develop the programme.

Michel Rivoire, president of the Motul Corazon Foundation, added:

"Every young person has potential abilities, often hidden, that are only waiting to blossom if we adults know how to give them the necessary attention at the right time: to provoke the spark that changes everything! Mechanical repairs and bodywork on vintage vehicles is the right way to create passion and competence, a guarantee for a lifelong professional excellence.

Romain Grabowski, head of brand at Motul, said:

"More than ever, we at Motul are firmly convinced that these vintage vehicles have a future. They are the witnesses of a bygone era, the symbols of a remarkable industrial know-how and true vectors of passion. Therefore, we have been working for over 12 years to safeguard them. This additional scheme unveiled today concerning the transmission of knowledge is a new proof of Motul's strong and lasting commitment to young people and to the motorised heritage of the world, so that the vehicles of yesterday continue to be driven on the roads of tomorrow".

Hubert Haberbusch, master of art, vice president of the FFVE, in charge of the Knowledge Transmission programme, added:

“We welcome the introduction of the CQP historic vehicle scheme which has three objectives:

• To make up for the lack of qualified personnel in the field of car restoration
• To make learners aware of the specificities of the rolling heritage
• To encourage the intergenerational transmission of the considerable knowledge held by enthusiasts in our numerous associations and clubs that are members of the FFVE