European automotive supplier association, CLEPA, has welcomed a new EC report evaluating data access for an open and fair market in mobility services, as well as looking into regulatory action.
The Commission presented key points of its latest report on access to in-vehicle data to industry stakeholders, with some 30% of the vehicle park due to be connected by 2025.
New cars include more connectivity-based services such as route planning, system diagnostics, or emergency assistance and many more are being developed.
The software-based technology generates an important data flow, which is also valuable to an expanding market that can make use of it, offer new services to consumers, or improve on existing repairs and maintenance.
The EC is currently assessing regulatory options on remote repair and maintenance and other services based on data generated by vehicles.
CLEPA has hailed the Commission’s initiative and its Data Strategy, noting regulating data access at EU level can and should help ensure fair and equal access for all providers of services to create a competitive market environment.
With the aim of taking stock of the latest market developments and ensuring these are considered in the regulatory process, the EC hosted a session with industry stakeholders on 17 September. The meeting presented an opportunity to share points of convergence by insurance, consumer and mobility organisations and to align on how to best guarantee a data space that can satisfy more complex mobility needs and services.
European Commission consultant, TRL, presented the main findings from a study on the current market situation.
CLEPA said it was pleased the report highlights the same concerns automotive suppliers have expressed, with regards to current limitations and questions on the deployment of services using in-vehicle data.
Building on the findings, TRL presented possible measures for consideration in upcoming legislation and proposed several policy options for the Commission.
The Commission also presented its roadmap and next steps. A draft legislative proposal was announced for the first quarter of next year.
“Innovation in this area requires car data must be shared among the different economic actors,” said CLEPA secretary general, Sigrid de Vries.
“Fair and undistorted competition is a prerequisite to leverage Europe’s full innovation power in mobility services. Any privileged position in the data stream or in the flow of information between a vehicle and the next point of communication has the potential of limiting or even excluding market players from providing services.
“Regulating data access as planned by the European Commission can ensure fair and equal access for all providers to create a competitive market for the benefit of consumers.”
Reflecting on the future of the industry on access to in-vehicle data, CLEPA released a position paper earlier this year.
Automotive suppliers believe that, in the homologation process for new vehicles, manufacturers should provide full transparency on technically available data points, telematics capabilities and the respective processes for third parties, to allow independent and unmonitored access to in-vehicle data and resources.