22/05/2025
Access to data: operators compared for an independent perspective
Beppe Facchini
Speed and accuracy of diagnostics, free competition and freedom of consumer choice in the aftermarket, some of the principles reaffirmed several times during the debate
Access to data generated by and for vehicle mobility: a crucial issue for the evolution of the market and the competitiveness of independent operators, at the centre of a major conference at Autopromotec, with numerous international experts. Speed and accuracy of diagnostics, free competition and freedom of choice for the consumer in the aftermarket: these were some of the principles reaffirmed several times during the debate, which was opened by a video-message by Stefano Bonaccini, MEP from Emilia Romagna and former regional governor, who recalled Brussels' commitment to new investments in this direction and the appointments at EU level, between July and September, regarding the conclusion of two important regulatory processes for the sector.
"A lot has been done, but it is not enough," it was said from the stage, with those present agreeing that, at the root of the issue for years now, there is a lack of willingness on the part of manufacturers to share this information, which is also essential from the point of view of safety, as well as vehicle repair and remanufacturing. At the heart of the conference, therefore, were the technological, legal and economic implications of the right to Obd and Rmi data, also in the light of European and international policies, new business models and the state of digital integration in the sector.
Among the testimonies given were those of Bill Hanvey, president of Auto Care, the association representing the entire automotive aftermarket sector in the United States, and Marcus Sacré and Elisabeth Macher, of the international law firm Osborne Clarke. "The laws are there but sometimes the problem is how they are interpreted," they explained, recalling the cases of some foreign automakers taken to court, all the way to the European Court of Justice, precisely because of the lack of cooperation in sharing information.
"The manufacturers know everything and have a monopoly on this information, forgetting that by now almost 80 per cent of garages in Europe are actually independent," also recalled other distinguished guests, such as the president of EGEA (European Garage Equipment Association), Leon Andriessen, and Alessandro Salimbeni, senior policy advisor of FIGIEFA, the International Federation of Automotive Aftermarket Distributors. Finally, another important aspect related to data access is also the creation of new jobs and the price for the long-awaited access to data, which is aimed at making it accessible also to smaller repairers. "Ours is a global initiative," said Hanvey, before the round table with operators and experience sharing platform that concluded the conference. "We have to work together and share our best practices as much as possible".
"A lot has been done, but it is not enough," it was said from the stage, with those present agreeing that, at the root of the issue for years now, there is a lack of willingness on the part of manufacturers to share this information, which is also essential from the point of view of safety, as well as vehicle repair and remanufacturing. At the heart of the conference, therefore, were the technological, legal and economic implications of the right to Obd and Rmi data, also in the light of European and international policies, new business models and the state of digital integration in the sector.
Among the testimonies given were those of Bill Hanvey, president of Auto Care, the association representing the entire automotive aftermarket sector in the United States, and Marcus Sacré and Elisabeth Macher, of the international law firm Osborne Clarke. "The laws are there but sometimes the problem is how they are interpreted," they explained, recalling the cases of some foreign automakers taken to court, all the way to the European Court of Justice, precisely because of the lack of cooperation in sharing information.
"The manufacturers know everything and have a monopoly on this information, forgetting that by now almost 80 per cent of garages in Europe are actually independent," also recalled other distinguished guests, such as the president of EGEA (European Garage Equipment Association), Leon Andriessen, and Alessandro Salimbeni, senior policy advisor of FIGIEFA, the International Federation of Automotive Aftermarket Distributors. Finally, another important aspect related to data access is also the creation of new jobs and the price for the long-awaited access to data, which is aimed at making it accessible also to smaller repairers. "Ours is a global initiative," said Hanvey, before the round table with operators and experience sharing platform that concluded the conference. "We have to work together and share our best practices as much as possible".
