"As the automotive industry association, we welcome the commencement of the Data Act. We support its goal of creating a competitive data market within the EU, in which vehicle-generated data, in particular, is made more easily accessible and usable. Vehicle-generated data plays a crucial role in promoting a more sustainable, customer-centric, and connected mobility of the future.

Since connected vehicles differ significantly from the majority of products regulated by the Data Act due to their technical complexity, we also welcome the announced guidance for the automotive sector under the Data Act.

With the ADAXO concept developed by the VDA, the provision of vehicle-generated data, as required by the Data Act, can be achieved fairly and securely. With the ADAXO concept, the VDA has been advocating for technology-neutral, secure, and fair access to vehicle data for years. The concept enables access to vehicle-generated data and creates jointly functioning data markets.

At the same time, however, companies in the German automotive industry are already enormously burdened by excessive bureaucracy. This particularly affects small and medium-sized enterprises in the supplier sector. The many overlaps in European digital regulations, especially in the data sector, represent a competitive disadvantage for our companies internationally and, not least, hamper the innovative strength of our industry.

To remain effective and internationally competitive, the EU Commission must therefore create a coherent and efficient regulatory landscape in the area of digitalization. It should thus review and simplify existing regulations and resolve contradictions created by duplication of regulation before adding further regulations and laws. The focus of the further process must therefore be on reducing excessive reporting requirements and creating a leaner regulatory landscape."