ACA, AASA partner in fight for vehicle data access

WASHINGTON — The Auto Care Association (ACA) and Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) have agreed to work together to help educate industry members and consumers about the fight for access to vehicle data.

The two trade groups have formed a strategic partnership carry out their mission, which debuted Sept. 18 under a "Your Car, Your Data, Your Choice" campaign.

ACA President and CEO Bill Hanvey, AASA President Paul McCarthy and Bill Long, president and CEO of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), announced the groups' partnership at ACA's Fall Leadership Days/Auto Care Legislative Summit in Washington.

The AASA is a community of MEMA.

"Your Car, Your Data, Your Choice" is an education initiative created to engage motorists, policy makers and other stakeholders alike, the ACA said, on what vehicle data is, why it matters and why it is crucial for car owners to control it.

"Without control of and access to the diagnostic and repair information wirelessly transmitted from vehicles, consumers could face increased cost and inconvenience, jeopardizing the future of the aftermarket and forcing consumers to pay more for — or worse, delay — car repairs," it said.

"We are setting an example of what collaboration looks like," Mr. Hanvey said at the legislative summit.

"Consumers have the right to control their vehicle data for repair and maintenance, and to decide where they want their repair and maintenance performed."

Also at the summit, Mr. McCarthy stressed that data access is a critical issue, not only for the auto aftermarket but also for drivers.

"Personal vehicles are how 85% of Americans get to gainful employment," he said. "So we know what will happen if dealers get a monopoly on data."

Mr. McCarthy said a dealer monopoly on vehicle data would "take $100 billion out of consumers' pockets."

Since the campaign was launched, the ACA said, consumer access to vehicle data has been the subject of articles in the mainstream media, including The New York Times, and sparked a petition that has received nearly 10,000 signatures to date.