Pushing forward automotive advancements: Sharing data, adopting AI models, and merging data ecosystems

The European automotive industry is undergoing a significant digital transformation, driven by connected and autonomous vehicles. Amidst this transition, the Association of the European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA) has emphasised the importance of simplifying the framework for data sharing.

ACEA believes that an industry-led framework for data sharing, supported by the European Commission, is key to boosting the European industry's competitiveness and innovative capacity. This framework, they propose, should be centred around a unified European Data Space, designed to optimise data usage and promote standardization.

The unified European Data Space is intended to facilitate efficient data sharing, a crucial aspect during the transition of the automotive sector. Vehicle manufacturers have already implemented data-sharing models ensuring transparency, security, and compliance with privacy regulations.

The digital transition of the automotive industry also involves leveraging the current legal framework, fostering regulatory coherence, and aiming for compliance. ACEA's position paper calls for efforts to facilitate implementation and provide reliable guidance for compliance with the EU's legal framework for vehicle data sharing.

The EU's legal framework for vehicle data sharing is currently governed by over 20 existing regulations. However, ACEA contends that the current framework actively undermines the competitiveness of European manufacturers due to increased administrative burden, inefficiencies, and higher compliance costs.

To address these challenges, ACEA's position paper aims to ensure compliance with the EU's legal framework to support innovation, compliance, and consumer interests. The paper also advocates for the creation of a unified European Data Space to bolster cooperation between market actors.

Moreover, ACEA has published a separate position paper emphasising the importance of industry cooperation, standardization, and an industry-led framework for AI data availability in the automotive sector.

The EU Commission, under Ursula von der Leyen, has introduced an industry action plan including significant funding for battery manufacturers. ACEA is actively involved in advocating for flexible, market-oriented approaches and supports creating a unified European data space and compliance with the legal framework to preserve Europe's competitiveness in the sector.

The Data Act, a one-stop shop regulation, covers all connected products, including vehicles, and is central to the EU's framework for vehicle data sharing. The lack of transparency regarding data access points is a challenge for users, and efforts must be made to address this issue.

For more details, you can find ACEA's full position paper on connected vehicle data sharing at https://www.our website/publication/position-paper-connected-vehicle-data-sharing/.