A European coalition of automotive associations has voiced serious concerns on the stance of vehicle manufacturers on providing future access to onboard vehicle data in the age of the connected car.  The coalition which includes representative bodies from the automotive aftermarket, insurance sector, dealers, leasing companies and consumers says that restricted access to vehicle data poses a serious threat to competition, innovation and consumer choice in the automotive sector.

The move follows a joint statement by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) setting out its position that direct in-vehicle access to data should be restricted and legitimate independent automotive businesses needing to access such data would effectively need to do so through an off board sever controlled by the vehicle manufacturer.

The independent coalition partners say they are united in their concern that consumer interests are not being placed at the centre of discussions around the possible technical solutions to access in-vehicle data. In addition to undermining free consumer choice, the solution promoted by some stakeholders would also undermine competition, innovation and independent entrepreneurship.

European parts suppliers and vehicle manufacturers recently presented a common technical architecture to access in-vehicle data. This approach would channel all future communication and data access through the vehicle manufacturer’s proprietary server. Only part of the data generated would then be sent to a ‘neutral server’ and be accessible for independent operators. This solution,  which would be based on the Extended Vehicle, would not allow direct communication with the vehicle and would effectively grant vehicle manufacturers full control to decide how, when and to whom data access will be granted.

The independent coalition of associations includes, ADPA (European Independent Data Publishers Association), CECRA (European Council for Motor Trades and Repairs), EGEA(European Garage and Test Equipment Association), FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), FIGIEFA (Automotive Aftermarket Distributors) and Insurance Europe (European insurance and reinsurance federation). It strongly apposes the manufacturer stand point believing it undermines vehicle owners’ right to decide who they share their data with and for what purposes.  The coalition also considers the proposal to be a serious threat to competition, innovation and consumer choice in the digital era.

In a press release the coalition state; "Today, vehicle manufacturers and their partner suppliers now compete on the market for a wide range of vehicle-related services and products (e.g. financial, leasing, insurances, diagnostics, replacement parts etc.) that are increasingly reliant on real time in-vehicle data. In this new digital age, it is not sufficient to only have direct access to the in-vehicle data only through an interoperable physical interface - a digital communication lifeline is also needed.”

The release goes on, "Ensuring safety and security is crucial for the deployment of connected vehicles and we believe that an ‘in-vehicle interoperable, standardised, secure and open-access platform’ is the right way forward. This solution would ensure the same high level of safety, security, liability and data protection as the vehicle manufacturers’ solution, whilst safeguarding competition, innovation and consumer choice. It could be based on the existing vehicle manufacturers’ telematics systems and use the highest possible security standards. Many manufacturers allow chosen partners to operate their own systems and applications in their vehicles today, thus showing that safe and secure direct access is possible without interfering with the vehicle’s functions.”

The associations are calling on the European Institutions to create a robust regulatory framework for an interoperable, standardised, secure and safe digital in-vehicle telematics platform as intended by the eCall Mandate, to maintain true consumer choice, independent entrepreneurship, competition and innovation for all services "around the car”.