Brussels, Europe Brief News – Automakers in Europe and beyond started competing for vehicle data in the era of connected cars. It is becoming a need of the hour for the automakers market.
The contest is entering into a critical phase as EU regulators have decided to hammer out the world’s first law for the ballooning industry around web-enabled vehicles. This move will put carmakers against the alliance of insurers, leasing companies and repair shops.
European Commission sources said, “The EU executives should launch an industry consultation on in-vehicle data this week which could lead to legislation at the end of this year”.
Tim Albertsen, CEO of ALD and Societe Generale’s car leasing division said “ If you don’t have access to data in the future, eventually you will be squeezed out”.
He further added, “ You will not be efficient, you will not have the right services and you cannot just operate at the end of the day”.
Car Manufacturers protect their gatekeeping role in accessing data from their vehicles. They also resisted some regulations for in-vehicle data claiming that Consumer security is most important.
European Automobile Manufacturers Association said, “Europe’s auto industry is committed to giving access to the data generated by the vehicles, However, uncontrolled access to in-vehicle data poses major safety and privacy threats”.
Sylvia Gotzen, CEO of the International Federation of Automotive Aftermarket distributors said that the manufacturers are in direct contact with the vehicle so they get all the data.
Carmakers: We share data
Vehicle manufacturers are planning big data. For example, Stellantis the world’s No 4 carmaker expects to generate 20 billion Euros annually by 2030 from software products and subscription services.
Volkswagen said data is becoming a key source of value creation and innovation and customers have full control over it. We prioritise vehicle security and customer privacy as our main objectives.
The German company said that it can share 100 data points with third parties if drivers requested it and could make more available if companies prove a real business need for them and willingness to take full responsibility for cybersecurity risks.
A BMW spokesperson said the carmaker would like all sides to sit down with a mediator such as the European Commission and hammer out a list of data points that is acceptable to everyone.
