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Belron International Limited

We are the worldwide leader in vehicle glass repair, replacement and recalibration with more than ten major brands – including Carglass®, Safelite® AutoGlass and Autoglass®.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Legislative framework for the governance of common European data spaces

26 Jan 2021

Introduction Belron appreciates this opportunity to comment on the Commission’s proposal for a Data Governance Act (DGA). As a major player in the vehicle aftermarket, we are seeing the increasing relevance of having access to data in order to continue to offer our services, and innovate and develop new services. Belron appreciates the Commission’s aim of creating a horizontal framework to help to stimulate the sharing of data, and realizes the economic stimulus this will involve, but we would like to take this opportunity to express our view that a sector specific approach is still needed in relation to the automotive sector. Access to vehicle data Cars are increasingly connected, which is leading to many changes in the way the aftermarket operates, not only in the provision of repair and maintenance services, but also, more fundamentally, in the way that the aftermarket gains access to vehicle data in the first place. The ‘connected car’ can now be diagnosed (and in some cases even repaired) remotely. For drivers, the ease and efficiency of this kind of service is attractive, reflecting modern lifestyles. However, this approach to vehicle repair and maintenance services comes with inherent risks, as the provision of these services is contingent on having access to car data and related functionalities. If vehicle manufacturers (VMs) are able to restrict access to such data to themselves and their approved dealers, the choice of aftermarket service providers is severely limited. Limited choice often leads to limited innovation, increased costs and greater inconvenience for consumers (e.g. drivers being required to travel long distances to receive repair and maintenance services, rather than having access to local suppliers). In our view, this runs contrary to the aims of the DGA as well as the Commission’s broader data strategy. The Commission has long recognized that the transport sector requires a different, sector specific approach to data access and sharing. Therefore, while Belron welcomes the aims and ambitions of the DGA, we hope that a) the Commission will not stop the work to develop sector specific rules, and b) the DGA will not lead to confusion between potentially overlapping pieces of legislation. Automotive industry needs sector specific rules Access to connected car data is already restricted through the use of a platform unique to the automotive industry. This platform has been developed by VMs and is known as the Extended Vehicle (ExVe) model. ExVe has long been seen as having the potential to distort the aftermarket, as it allows VMs to operate as gatekeepers to connected car data, thus hindering competition. The Commission’s Mobility Strategy from 2018 and the EDPB 2010/1 Guidelines, in addition to other studies such as the TRL Study, have noted this. VMs have the ability to gain exclusive access to connected car data, and thus are able to offer aftermarket services directly to drivers, who may be completely unaware that alternative service providers even exist. Furthermore, the requirement that aftermarket service providers must request VMs to grant them access to connected car data via the ExVe platform, means that VMs are able to control and monitor the activities of aftermarket service providers. Conclusions Consumers today expect efficient, user-friendly digital services – but they also rightly expect affordable solutions and a choice of service providers. It is for this reason that all aftermarket service providers need full and unrestricted access to in-vehicle generated data in order to be able to compete with VMs and their approved dealers on a level playing field, offering alternative, innovative digital services to customers. In Belron’s view, this outcome can only be achieved through separate, sector specific legislation for the automotive industry, thus encouraging greater competition and innovation - for the benefit of all consumers.
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Meeting with Alina-Stefania Ujupan (Cabinet of Commissioner Mariya Gabriel)

2 May 2019 · Connected Cars

Meeting with Ivo Schmidt (Cabinet of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič)

2 May 2019 · Access to connected car data

Meeting with Silke Obst (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

21 Nov 2018 · To discuss conencted cars

Meeting with Silke Obst (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc) and FIPRA International SRL

22 Mar 2018 · Connected and automated driving