CLEPA Joint Statement | Europe’s Consumers, Independent Automotive Service and Mobility Providers rally for urgent Commission action on vehicle data legislation

Europe’s Consumers, Independent Automotive Service and Mobility Providers rally for urgent Commission action on vehicle data legislation

in CLEPA, 19-01-2024


  • Europe’s independent service providers and consumers reiterate the significant potential for safer, smarter and more affordable mobility that is being sacrificed due to the lack of regulated access to vehicle data.
  • Vehicle manufacturers have quasi-monopoly control over data generated by vehicles owned by European consumers and businesses. This heavily limits the choice of innovative services that independent service providers could provide – if they had equal access to vehicle data.
  • The group calls on President von der Leyen to urgently deliver the legislative proposal on access to vehicle data that has been eight years in the making.

A group of 10 representatives of independent automotive service providers have called on President von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners to urgently deliver sector-specific legislation on access to vehicle data. Together they represent 80% of the European automotive economy and include the continent’s automotive parts suppliers and distributors, workshops and their technology suppliers, mobility services companies, the insurance industry and consumers.

The majority of modern vehicles are connected and offer immense potential for safer, smarter and more affordable mobility for European consumers and businesses.

However, manufacturers’ quasi-monopoly control of vehicle data is impeding the development of services that independent service providers could offer. This limits service innovation and competition, restricting consumer and business choice, driving up prices and erodes Europe’s competitive position globally.

The group stresses the European Commission’s long-promised plan for a sector-specific legislation on access to in-vehicle data, functions, and resources is more necessary than ever. The Data Act neither addresses the quasi-monopolistic market structure nor the technical requirements in the automotive industry to make equitable data access a reality.

Action is urgent due to the regulatory cliff-edge in July when new cybersecurity laws kick in, potentially leading to the progressive shutdown of the only independent means of remote access to vehicle data (via the on-board diagnostic port).

The EU must urgently put in place equal access to vehicle-generated data for all market actors by delivering sector-specific legislation that protects consumer choice and encourages real competition and investment in digital transformation and data-driven businesses. Each day of delay stifles European innovation, job creation and the safer, smarter, more sustainable and affordable mobility that Europe’s citizens and businesses deserve.

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“FIA members continuously seek to develop consumer services in mobility and beyond. But our efforts are hampered through the low quality, scarce and costly data made available by vehicle manufacturers. Fair access to vehicle data is essential in unlocking the full potential of innovative services, beneficial for consumers and all players in the aftermarket. A level playing field is needed to favour innovation for all players and not only a few.”

Karsten Schulze, ADAC Technical Services President.

 

“Ensuring full and real-time data access is essential for fleet companies to be able to offer smart, sustainable, and affordable mobility to their clients. There is no further time to lose as the automotive industry is moving at very high pace and the independent service providers risk losing their competitive position. Thus, we ask President von der Leyen to urgently deliver the legislative proposal on access to in-vehicle data.”

Tim Albertsen, Group Chief Executive Office of Ayvens (formerly ALD Automotive I LeasePlan).

 

“There is currently no level playing field in accessing vehicle data which is stifling competition and innovation. The European Commission must stop dragging its feet and urgently put forward EU regulation. This will enable insurers to provide better products and services to support the climate transition and improve road safety. It will also help them understand and manage the risks related to new and future forms of mobility, such as autonomous driving. Opening data access will prevent a few big companies controlling data and instead create a competitive market that delivers for Europeans.

Yann Arnaud, Director of Responses to Customer Needs & Innovation at MACIF, the French insurer, speaking on behalf of the European insurance sector.

 

“Leveraging anonymized vehicle intelligence and linked tyre data provides a tremendous opportunity for building creative solutions that will shape the future of mobility.”

Raghunath Banerjee, Vice President of Data Solutions at Bridgestone Mobility Solutions.

 

“Investments in services based on in-vehicle generated data require a stable and predictable business environment. A sector specific regulation is needed to create such environment.”

Benjamin Krieger, Secretary General of CLEPA.

 


About CLEPA

  • CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers based in Brussels, represents over 3,000 companies, from multi-nationals to SMEs, supplying state-of-the-art components and innovative technology for safe, smart and sustainable mobility, investing over €30 billion yearly in research and development. Automotive suppliers in Europe directly employ 1.7 million people in the EU.

 

 

CLEPA Press Release | Substantial additional investments will be needed to reach ambitious CO2 standards for trucks

The European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have reached an agreement on the CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles today. While the political agreement positively includes electrified trailers and hydrogen engines, it falls short of embracing carbon neutral fuels.

in CLEPA, 18-01-2024


Benjamin Krieger, Secretary General of CLEPA, the European association of automotive suppliers, says, “We see positive movement with the inclusion of hydrogen fuelled engines and eTrailers, however, the role of renewable fuels as a complement to e-mobility still needs to be clearly defined.”

The review and assessment of the regulation will be essential to ensure the feasibility of the interim and longer-term targets which are the most ambitious targets to date and will be extremely challenging to achieve. A CO2 reduction of 45% by 2030 will require more than 400,000 zero-emission trucks on the roads – around 100,000 new zero-emissions trucks registered annually. Currently, less than 1% of newly registered trucks are electric, and many of the enabling conditions are lacking*.

Mr. Krieger goes on to say, “Progress towards electrification of the fleet and deployment of enabling conditions should be thoroughly reviewed in 2027, and if necessary, we should remain open to considering all technology options to reach compliance.”

The agreement will still need to be formally adopted in the coming weeks.

 

*Source: Statista, ACEA, European Commission, FuelsEurope

 

 

CLEPA PRESS RELEASE | Matthias Zink to serve as new CLEPA President

CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, has elected Matthias Zink as its new President for a two-year term starting in January 2024.

in CLEPA, 09-01-2024


Mr Zink is CEO Automotive Technologies at Schaeffler and will succeed Thorsten Muschal who has held the position since 2020.

“CLEPA represents over 3,000 companies, from multi-nationals to SMEs, supplying state-of-the-art components and innovative technology for safe, smart, and sustainable mobility across Europe. As the largest private investor in R&D, with 30 billion EUR invested annually, the automotive supply sector is critical to enabling the green and digital transition in Europe. Keeping Europe competitive is a task for policymakers and industry alike”, said Mr Zink. “I wish to thank Thorsten Muschal for his four, successful years as CLEPA President, and I look forward to building on the work done and help strengthen the voice of our industry.”

Reflecting on his term, Mr Muschal notes, “I am proud of the achievements we have made together at CLEPA, especially considering the unprecedented challenges we have faced over the past three years. The transition is only beginning, and it is crucial that we continue to work together towards shared objectives.”

While vehicle production has gone up post-Covid, suppliers have managed to reduce CO2 emissions by increasing the use of renewable energy. However, this positive trajectory can only be maintained with continued significant investments to meet the goals of the green transition whilst remaining globally competitive.

“Affordable renewable energy, raw materials shortages, insufficient battery productions capacity in the EU, along with large infrastructure and grid needs demand a technology-diverse approach. The regulatory framework must remain ambitious yet flexible to empower continuous innovation and to keep Europe competitive”, said Zink. “At CLEPA, we stand ready to bring technological mobility solutions to market and to actively contribute to shaping policies that foster climate action and support a thriving EU industry.”

Watch Matthias Zink’s full video statement below.

 


 

About Matthias Zink

  • Matthias Zink is based at the headquarters of Schaeffler’s Automotive Technologies division in Bühl, Germany, where he became the CEO of Schaeffler’s Automotive Technologies division in 2017. Besides his position as CEO of Schaeffler’s Automotive Technologies he assumed responsibility for the Engine Systems and Chassis Systems business divisions as well as Global Key Account Management Automotive in 2019.

About CLEPA

  • CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers based in Brussels, represents over 3,000 companies, from multi-nationals to SMEs, supplying state-of-the-art components and innovative technology for safe, smart and sustainable mobility, investing over €30 billion yearly in research and development. Automotive suppliers in Europe directly employ 1.7 million people in the EU.