FROM THE PUBLISHER
This little device will be at the center of one of the largest controversies the automotive market has ever experienced.
counterman.com/ASAP for reader service
vehicles motoring around our roadways. Not very scary at all, right? Wrong! This little device will be
at the center of one of the largest controversies the automotive market has ever experienced. Here’s the really scary part: The debate
over this device and many of our own futures will be decided in Washington with us having little or no control over it. That, to me, is very unsettling. Let me explain. Telematics devices are currently showing up in vehicles and are being used by insurance companies to offer discounts to safe drivers. Seems pretty safe. But what about all the other data that could be accessed by a device like this? This data could be used for repair purposes and actually be a great tool to service customers and help us repair vehicles. In the future, this data will have tremendous value, and many will want/need to get their hands on it. There’s the rub. It seems that many people today believe they own that data. Insurers say they own it, automakers believe they own it and the aftermarket believes it should have access to it. Actually, it’s recording information owned by drivers just like you and me. I say it belongs to the vehicle owner. Of course, everyone should have the ability to access that data, but only after the vehicle owner decides where he or she wants it to go. “Right to Repair” is an important issue to the aftermarket. Many have fought a long and arduous battle to ensure that all can access the necessary information to repair vehicles – and the battle is not over yet. Consumer rights to telematics data will not be any easier. As members of the automotive aftermarket, we need to be sure we’re being heard on this issue. Our future depends on it. CM
■ ■ ■
For more information: www.counterman.com
78
June 2013 | Counterman