European Independent Service Providers welcome a very positive dialogue with Commissioner Breton

Brussels, 23 June 2022 – Companies representing 4.5 million jobs in the automotive sector across Europe have
welcomed a very positive exchange with the European Commission on ensuring innovation in the automotive
and mobility sector as European regulators set the rules that will define the industry for at least a decade to
come.

The Independent Service Providers (ISPs) group₁ welcome a very positive exchange with Commissioner Thierry Breton on how the Data Act and forthcoming sector-specific regulation can create the space for rapid vehicle generated data innovation in the European automotive and mobility eco-system.

The ISPs welcomed this approach and the positive enabling framework created by the Data Act. The group agreed with the Commissioner on the pressing need for the Commission proposal of a Data Act to be adopted as soon as possible by the European Parliament and Council and the sector-specific automotive regulation on access to in-vehicle data & resources to be adopted prior to the European elections in May 2024.

Thomas Møller Thomsen President of FIA Region I, speaking on behalf of the ISPs stated:
“The vision of Europe leading in innovation in automotive and mobility services – driven by fair access to in-vehicle-generated data – articulated by Commissioner Breton is very welcome. These services will transform everyday driving and mobility solutions for Europe’s consumers, businesses and cities.”

Khaled Shahbo, representing Leaseurope, added:
“The European automotive and mobility services sector is primed to unleash a wave of innovation that will bring the numerous benefits of smart mobility to the everyday movement of people, goods and services and, critically, to our cities. A robust framework that guarantees fair, direct and real-time access to in-vehicle-generated data will truly enable us to hit the accelerator”.

Peter van der Galiën, Vice-President of ADPA, explained:
“The future of repair and maintenance is closely linked to digital systems and dynamic data. Increased capabilities of captors and sensors linked to telematics make remote and predictive operations more and more common, which could improve the experience of the European consumers – at the condition that these consumers can benefit from truly competitive services. A swift and ambitious EU legislation is the way forward.”

Jean Charles Herrenschmidt, President of CECRA, remarked:
“The future importance of an efficient and innovative service economy requires a perfect and transparent collaboration between all the actors of mobility around a unique and shared data.”

Thierry Coton representing EGEA stated:
“Current stationary diagnostic tools will shift as applications into the vehicle, allowing remote diagnostics. This is a huge advantage in terms of vehicle health predictability, as a basis for a more effective repair process.”

Chris Delaney, representing ETRMA added:
“Advancement in technology and the evolution of consumer preferences and buying behaviours are sparking new opportunities for the tire industry and more broadly for the mobility sector. Ensuring access to in-vehicle generated data is crucial to enabling the collective industry to innovate and deliver smarter, safer, and more sustainable mobility solutions.”

Nicolas Jeanmart, representing Insurance Europe, remarked:
“A regulatory initiative guaranteeing direct access to in-vehicle generated data would enable insurers to launch new products aimed at reducing emissions and improving road safety, as well as new, innovative services, such as theft notification and stolen vehicle recovery. It would also make it easier for insurers to understand new risks, such as those related to increasingly autonomous cars.”

Bastian Müller, representing FIGIEFA concluded:
“The opportunity for Europe is vast. With unfettered and secure access to vehicle-generated data & resources, there is so much value the businesses we represent can create in the automotive and mobility ecosystem. The fact that the Commission has opted to make this the first area for sector-specific regulation under the Data Act reflects the pressing need to get the right legislation in place as rapidly as possible.”

Each of the ISPs shared use cases with the Commissioner from their part of the eco-system leading to a vibrant
discussion about the driving role automotive and mobility services innovation can play in Europe’s digital and
sustainable transition over the next ten years and beyond, including in a rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV)
world.

The ISPs re-affirmed their strong intent to support the work of the Commission, European Parliament and Council to ensure the timely adoption of the Data Act and “gold-standard” sector-specific legislation, likely to the first of its kind globally. The ISPs urge as well the Commission to publish the sector specific proposal by the end of this year to allow the ordinary legislative procedure to proceed in due time.

¹ The businesses represented by the ISPs core group employ over 4.5m people in more than 500,000 companies, predominantly SMEs. It accounts for more €225 Billion revenue in aftermarket parts & labour, while around 48% of all new European vehicles are purchased annually by Leasing & Rental fleets.

The core ISP group was represented in the meeting by:
• Peter van der Galiën, Board Member of ADPA, the European Independent Data Publishers Association.
• Jean-Charles Herrenschmidt, President of CECRA, the European Council for Motor Trades and Repairs.
• Thierry Coton, President of EGEA, the European Garage and Test Equipment Association.
• Chris Delaney, Board member of ETRMA, the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association.
• Thomas Møller Thomsen, President of FIA Region I, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.
• Bastian Müller, Board Member of FIGIEFA, the International Federation of Independent Automotive Aftermarket Parts Distributors.
• Nicolas Jeanmart, Head of Personal & General Insurance at Insurance Europe, the European Insurance and Reinsurance Federation.
• Khaled Shahbo, Vice President of the Board of Leaseurope, the European Federation of Leasing & Rental Companies Associations.