The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation represents the trade in Europe with the international aftermarket association FIGIEFA on topics such as ‘The connected car’, telematics and ongoing access to technical information.
Data is King BEING ABLE TO ACCESS DATA GENERATED BY THE FAULTY VEHICLES PRESENTED TO US, AND GETTING THE CORRECT DATA TO FIX THEM, IS KEY TO OUR TRADE’S SUCCESS. WE PONDER THE BARRIERS AND WORKAROUNDS…
TECHNICAL DATA
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation, IAAF, represents aftermarket parts distributors & suppliers at a UK government level with the likes of the DVSA and DfT but also represents the trade in Europe with the international aftermarket association FIGIEFA on topics such as ‘The connected car’, telematics and ongoing access to technical information.
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FIGIEFA, together with other major associations representing the motorist and automotive aftermarket, have been lobbying for fair access to vehicle data over recent years as the use of telematics, and the amount of data a vehicle generates, increases. The purpose has also been to empower motorists so they can choose providers to whom and for which purpose they will give their data. The IAAF states: ‘This implies enabling independent operators to offer competitive digital products and services by protecting their right of direct access to invehicle, real-time data and of online communication through standardised, interoperable and secure telematics interfaces. ‘Competition neutrality by technical design’ is required to preserve entrepreneurial independence and maintain a level playing field in the digital era.’
As cars become increasingly connected, the lobbying that our industry’s trade associations undertake on behalf of the aftermarket is crucial. The data cars now generate can be used to alert drivers of potential problems and suggest local workshops who can investigate and solve these issues – only with a system in place that ensures fair access to this lucrative data, will the driver benefit from a free choice of services, and a level playing field be established between dealer and independent workshops.
Are independents in the process of being locked out? OEMs are increasingly placing security restrictions on new vehicle models to protect the vehicle’s communication networks from potential cyber-attacks and hacking. The Fiat Chrysler Group introduced a Secure Gateway Module, similar to a firewall, within most of its 2018 models. Access to certain diagnostic functions – including clearing DTCs, calibrations, re-learns, actuations and adjustments – is only possible using a certified diagnostic tool with WiFi access. Aftermarket tool and data providers continue to work with OEMs to provide direct access to secure OEM vehicle gateway modules to their customers. Those who are OEM suppliers have an advantage in this ongoing challenge and many aftermarket suppliers are fostering partnerships to ensure they are wellpositioned to ensure independent workshops can continue to navigate through increasingly used OEM firewalls, see Rob Marshall’s diagnostic equipment feature from page 22.
