Brussels, 11 September 2026
Stakeholders from across the mobility sector met yesterday at an event organised by the Forum for Mobility & Society, bringing together policymakers, industry representatives, the independent aftermarket sector and the consumer community to discuss access to vehicle-generated data and its role in shaping the future of connected mobility in Europe.
In his opening remarks, Adam McCarthy (Tyres Europe) highlighted that the discussion on vehicle-generated data sits at the crucial intersection of trust, safety, and fair market competition, emphasizing that access to in-vehicle data is paramount for driving innovation and consumer choice. The panel discussion that followed brought together Sören Schneider (European Commission), Mohit Tyagi (BMW), Aude Vilette (Belron), and Diogo Pinto (FIA Region I).
Moderated by Jennifer Baker, EU policy and tech reporter at brusselsgeek, the panel explored how, one year into the implementation of the Data Act, while the regulation has successfully put data on the radar, practical roadblocks, technical dependencies, and varying implementation speeds among manufacturers still hinder a seamless data economy.
Panellists debated the fine line between safeguarding cybersecurity and ensuring open, non-discriminatory access. Aude Vilette (Belron) stressed that for safety-critical operations like ADAS sensor and windscreen recalibration, data access is an “existential” issue where restrictions must be strictly necessary, proportionate, and risk-based. Meanwhile, Diogo Pinto (FIA Region I) emphasized that for consumers, the core challenge goes beyond the legal right of access itself: it is about freedom of choice and being able to exercise that access in practice, rather than seeing it undermined by overly complex consent processes or prohibitive third-party pricing.
The discussion also addressed the broader technological shift, touching upon the integration of connected vehicle data with maintenance ecosystems, the harmonization across regulatory frameworks like Euro 7, and the ongoing need for a collaborative approach between European institutions, vehicle manufacturers, and independent operators.
The panel was followed by an interactive audience Q&A session, during which participants raised questions concerning raw data definitions, the balance between harmonized EU legislation and national enforcement, and how emerging connected mobility services can continue to foster innovation while guaranteeing user trust.
In his concluding remarks, Vincent Legagneur (CLEPA) reflected that while the Data Act provides a vital baseline, much work remains to be done. He noted that less than a third of brands currently provide the necessary interface access for independent operators, underscoring the urgent need for standardized technical solutions, transparent pricing for third-party access, and robust enforcement by national authorities across member states to ensure the framework delivers in real life.
The event closed with a networking lunch.