Brussels, 19 October 2017
FIGIEFA calls for swift implementation of the ‘interoperable in-vehicle telematics platform’ to ensure equal digitalisation opportunities for the entire automotive value chain
The High Level Group ‘GEAR 2030’ – bringing together the European Commission, several EU Member States and representatives from the entire automotive sector – adopted yesterday its final Report on the future of the automotive value chain. The Report sets out the analysis conducted by the High Level Group on the current and future situation of the automotive sector in the actual fast changing landscape and makes recommendations for EU policy initiatives. It represents, as stated by Internal Market Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska “the conclusion of a two years journey on the future of the automotive sector”.
FIGIEFA was part of the High Level Group and used its participation to bring in the independent automotive aftermarket perspective.
FIGIEFA welcomes the final report and appreciates that compared to the previous process this GEAR 2030 has been much more inclusive, by focusing on the automotive sector, including the downstream value chain. As the updated GEAR 2030 statistics have shown, from the often quoted 12 million jobs, 3,3 million are employed in the sheer production of vehicles and components, whereas the majority of these jobs – namely 4,3 million – relate to the wider “Automobile Use” (aftermarket service providers, car dealers etc.). The remaining 5 million jobs are mobility jobs created through transport and road construction activities; these are however not jobs created by the automotive industry, but they depend on the use of the automotive industry’s products for efficient mobility solutions.
The Report highlights that the automotive sector will face a profound transformation because of the digitalisation, automated and connected driving and societal changes. In this context, FIGIEFA together with other European associations, stressed that access to in-vehicle data is key for the development of digital innovation potentials.
FIGIEFA is therefore pleased to see that the Report includes Recommendation 26 which calls upon the Commission “to assess whether additional sector-specific legislation is needed for access to vehicle data”.
During the final exchange of view FIGIEFA President Hartmut Röhl referred to the recently published TRL Report[i], which made a detailed analysis of different solutions for such a remote access to the vehicle and its data. “The TRL Report showed that the only solution, which fulfils all C-ITS Principles, is the ‘interoperable, standardised, secure and open-access in-vehicle platform’”, said Hartmut Röhl. “Therefore, FIGIEFA calls upon the European Commission to proceed to a swift legislative implementation of the interoperable in-vehicle telematics platform. This is the only solution which enables innovative services for Europe’s motoring consumers, and it thereby improves the competitiveness of Europe’s automotive sector as whole”.
For more information why direct access to in-vehicle data is a key driver for innovation:
Please visit our new Campaign website: https://www.direct-access.eu/
[i] Access to In-Vehicle Data and Resources, TRL Study Report for the European Commission DB MOVE, May 2017