Numerous studies show that the ongoing lack of access to in-vehicle data and functions increasingly jeopardizes the ability of the independent automotive aftermarket to compete in digital products and services and to provide customers, both consumers and fleet operators, with the digital services they expect. Technical solutions, respecting the highest standards of privacy and security, exist, but require legislative backing. ADPA advocates, in particular with AFCAR, for the swift adoption of such a legislation in the European Union which would complement the welcomed, but insufficient, Data Act.

With increasingly connected vehicles relying more and more on their electronic components, ensuring cybersecurity is more than ever necessary for the safety and the confidence of consumers in newer vehicles. ADPA advocates for data publishers to be fully included in the cybersecurity strategies of vehicle manufacturers to enable the independent aftermarket to continue delivering up-to-standard servicing to its customers, and for cybersecurity to not be abused as an undue pretext to restrict competition.

With increasingly connected vehicles, ensuring data privacy is more than ever necessary for the confidence of consumers in newer vehicles. ADPA advocates for a clear distinction to be made between personal and technical data, in order to ensure that data privacy cannot be abused as an undue pretext to restrict competition.