On 21 March 2019, FIA Region I released a new independent study showing that the current models allowing access to vehicle data will potentially entail huge economic costs for European consumers and aftermarket service providers.

Today, vehicle manufacturers are developing their own models to allow service providers to remotely access vehicle data with fundamental challenges including access costs and data restrictions.

The study finds that in less than a decade, such models could lead to consumers and independent service providers having to absorb costs of around €65 billion per year by 2030.

Laurianne Krid, Director General at FIA Region I, commented: “Car connectivity is no longer about the future, it’s here and it’s impacting on consumers and independent service providers alike. This study makes it clear that we need to act now to guarantee competition and consumers’ ability to choose from a variety of service providers. Robust and binding EU rules are urgently needed.”

The study also finds that European motorists see the benefits of car connectivity – almost 70% of drivers, for instance, are willing to have their cars fixed remotely, rather than having a physical inspection at a garage.

And European consumers are also calling for legislative action. FIA Region I survey My Car My Data found that 95% of motorists want dedicated rules to protect user data when it comes to connected vehicles.

Krid added: “There are alternatives to the current models that can secure consumer choice, fair competition and cybersecurity. But the longer we have to wait for EU action, the less we can expect from innovation in the digital era. Ultimately, this means poorer services for motorists and lower societal benefits.”

The European Commission is expected to shortly come forward with a non-binding Recommendation covering vehicle data access.

See the video animation

Read the full study

Read the study executive summary

See this brochure on the key results

See the 2018 survey results on car connectivity

Find out more about FIA Region I’s MyCarMyData campaign

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About FIA Region I

• The FIA Region I office, based in Brussels, is a consumer body comprising 105 Mobility Clubs that represent over 35 million members from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The FIA represents the interest of these members as motorists, public transport users, pedestrians and tourists. The FIA’s primary goal is to secure aobility that is safe, affordable, sustainable and efficient. fiaregion1.com
• The study was carried out by the consultancies Quantalyse Belgium and Schönenberger Advisory Services and is the first independent assessment of the specific economic impacts that are expected with existing auto maker data access models. The report also verifies the results of the European Commission’s own study on the ‘Extended Vehicle’ data access model favoured by car It concluded that the model ‘ensures their [OEM] data access monopoly and enables them to maximize revenue from data and data-driven aftersales services [and] reduces welfare for drivers and aftersales service providers.’

Contact

Valentina Ferrara
Communications Manager
FIA Region I
vferrara[at]fia.com
+32 2 282 0813