Since January 2002, the National Road Transport Committee has seen its market observation and analysis remit extended to Europe, with the primary objective of establishing an economic monitoring system. For over a year, it has been conducting a series of studies, the initial results of which will be published in the «Cahiers de l'Observatoire» from September 2003 onwards. At a time when the profession and, more recently, the public authorities are concerned about the deterioration of the position of international road transport under the French flag, this first article aims to set out the facts. In the next issue, dated July, the CNR will examine the factors behind this development.