Details of the implementation of the European eCall Regulation are currently being discussed in Brussels. This is an issue which is fundamental to future of the independent aftermarket as these in-vehicle telematics systems will provide access to the vehicle data and information.

The technology of eCall, which becomes mandatory as from 2018 in all new cars, also has possible far reaching implications in terms of remote vehicle diagnostics and predictive maintenance and could have a major impact on consumer rights.

Independent aftermarket bodies, IAAF and FIGIEFA, say that freedom of choice for consumers and independent market participants must be protected. Any private motorist or fleet operator should be able to decide whether they wish to use a telematics-based application from the vehicle manufacturer or from an independent market provider. In order to make this possible, appropriate standardised interfaces to the telematics platforms are required. Only in this way is it possible for competitive third-party providers to offer their own services and products concerning remote vehicle communication and networking.

IAAF and FIGIEFA, together with other interest groups from the independent aftermarket, have been able to ensure that with the eCall Regulation a mandate has been given by the European Commission to create the technical framework conditions for an "interoperable, standardised, secure and freely accessible platform”.

However, this is only the first step as the detailed work now follows. FIGIEFA engagement is vital, as with the technical structuring of the EU mandate of the "interoperable platform”, the framework is likely to decisively shape the aftermarket for vehicles for at least the next two decades.

A central issue is the access to remote data. Vehicle manufacturers believe this should be via their own servers, effectively giving them total control, information access and intelligence on independent aftermarket activity. In contrast, the independent aftermarket supports an interoperable and standardised telematics in-vehicle platform. In this concept, the "intelligence” is in the vehicle, i.e. applications from both the OEMs and the independent market participants can access on-board data equally and transmit them directly to their respective servers. Another advantage of this solution is that the vehicle driver would be able to select via the in-vehicle display and freely choose who uses his vehicle data and for what purpose.

These important discussions remain ongoing.

For more information visit, www.iaaf.co.uk or www.right2choose.org.uk