WDK joins call for ‘immediate action’ on EU vehicle-data law

Frankfurt, Germany – Germany's rubber industry association the WDK has joined calls for EU regulators to speed up the introduction of regulation regarding access to in-vehicle data.

In a recent joint statement with a number of German automotive industry associations, Frankfurt-based WDK warned that lengthy delay had left 'sector-specific' regulation "in danger of failing".

The alliance has urged the European Commission to take ‘immediate action’ to enable “fair competition conditions between vehicle manufacturers and other service providers.”

The statement went on to call for regulation to allow access to “data, resources and functions of connected cars” by the end of this year.

EU commissioner Breton, it noted, has not passed on the impact assessment of sector-specific regulation to the regulatory scrutiny committee for review in February.

The alliance went on to warn of “massive negative effects” for automotive service providers and parts suppliers due to the delay.  

Fair competition is not possible “due to the monopoly position of car manufacturers on the data of the networked car, its functions and resources.”

The alliance is asking Germany's federal government to progress the legislative procedure in order to “make clear the urgency of necessary European action.”

Draft regulation must be published "so that the EU Parliament can realistically deal with the draft in this legislative period," said Stephan Rau, technical director of the WDK.

Tire investment

As the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers' Association has previously set out, the EU tire industry has invested significantly in telematics solutions to support the development of connected services.

Tire solutions for safer and more sustainable operations includes tire pressure monitoring system, tire-mounted sensors and state-of-the-art algorithms that allow among others, preventive maintenance, decarbonisation, optimised fleet transition to electrification.

After 2024 – entry into force of the UNECE cybersecurity regulation for new vehicles – it will no longer be possible to use telematics boxes in new vehicles, which are currently a solution used by service providers in the absence of standard vehicle connections.

To ensure equal and fair access to the functions, data and resources of the vehicle, the ETRMA has long argued that "a robust, mobility-sector specific regulation is needed in Europe."