Auto industry launches data protection commitment as it highlights potential of ITS to reduce CO2

Frankfurt, 16 September 2015 – On the occasion of the Motor Show in Frankfurt, the President of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), Carlos Ghosn, today outlined the automobile industry’s approach to tackling CO2 from road transport, focusing on the potential of intelligent transport systems (ITS). Mr Ghosn also presented the EU industry’s new statement on the protection of personal data.
Mr Ghosn’s statements marked the launch of a new study by ERTICO on the extent to which ITS systems can reduce CO2 emissions from cars.
According to the study, in-vehicle eco-navigation systems (dynamic navigation tools that use real-time data to reduce fuel) have a 5-10% emissions reduction potential. Eco-driving systems – which recognise driving behaviour and provide the driver with on-trip advice and post-trip feedback – can bring down emissions by 5-20%.
Regarding infrastructure, the two highest-potential measures are traffic signal coordination and parking guidance. Giving drivers real-time advice on traffic signals and guidance to find a parking space could produce a further 10% savings in CO2 emissions for equipped vehicles in the areas where these systems are deployed.
Currently new vehicles (less than one year old) represent only about 5% of the total EU car fleet, and the average age of cars is 9.7 years and rising. “With this in mind, the study’s findings make a clear case for a faster renewal of the fleet, so that we can bring more vehicles with the latest technologies to the street faster,” Mr Ghosn stated. “But connected vehicles and faster fleet renewal will not be enough. ACEA is therefore also calling on policy makers to invest more in appropriate infrastructure improvements.”
As ITS systems rely on the collection, use and process of data from different sources, including from the vehicle itself, they also raise the challenge of data protection. Recognising the concerns around this subject, this morning ACEA’s Board adopted a statement setting out five principles of data protection to which the industry will adhere.
These principles include transparency, customer choice, ‘privacy by design’, data security and proportionate use of data.
“Data protection is an issue automakers take very seriously, as we are committed to providing our customers with a high level of protection and maintaining their trust,” explained Ghosn. “This is essential if ITS and the connected car are to fulfil their potential to contribute towards societal goals such as facilitating traffic management, reducing fuel consumption and bringing down CO2 emissions.”
Notes for editors
- ACEA has also just released its Economic and Market Report for Quarter 2 2015: http://www.acea.be/statistics/article/economic-and-market-report-quarter-2-2015. This includes registration, production and trade data for the first half of 2015 for the EU and worldwide automobile industry (both passenger car and commercial vehicles).
- The ERTICO study on ‘Intelligent Transport Systems for reducing CO2 emissions for passenger cars’ is available on http://erticonetwork.com/its-for-reducing-co2-emission-of-passenger-cars.
- ACEA’s data protection commitment is available on http://www.acea.be/publications/article/acea-principles-of-data-protection-in-relation-to-connected-vehicles-and-se
About ACEA
- The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 14 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group.
- Visit www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on www.twitter.com/ACEA_auto or www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/.
Contact:
- Cara McLaughlin, Communications Director, cm@acea.auto, +32 485 88 66 47.
- Ben Kennard, Content Editor and Press Manager, bk@acea.auto, +32 487 39 21 82
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About the EU automobile industry
- 13.0 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
- 11.5% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
- €374.6 billion in tax revenue for European governments
- €101.9 billion trade surplus for the European Union
- Over 7% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
- €59.1 billion in R&D spending annually, 31% of EU total