The automotive aftermarket faces many changes and challenges surrounding autonomous and connected vehicles. Most of these challenges center on data. Who owns the data? Who can access the data? Who is responsible for the privacy and security of the data?
It is important that the Aftermarket be involved in the planning and development process with vehicle OEMs and government regulators, on state and national levels. We need to make sure that our customers and our businesses are not locked out of the information access process. We need to avoid another protracted Right to Repair battle.
Vehicle security is also a major concern. The OEMs incorporate high levels of security to prevent data loss and hacking. One of the true access points for possible malicious activity will be at our shops, when the vehicle is vulnerable during repairs. We need to know how to secure our shop networks and the tooling necessary to prevent this.
Lastly, the traditional service opportunities on current vehicles will change. As vehicles become more autonomous and move towards more alternative fuels we need to identify and pursue the new service opportunities so we can remain relevant to our customers.
News
What’s going on with the DLC?
The J1962 connector currently used for diagnostic purposes is federally mandated by law to provide OBD Emission information. Manufacturers currently use the DLC to provide Diagnostic, Repair and General vehicle Data on this connector. The MOU (Memorandum Of Understanding) that resulted because of the Massachusetts RTR Act states that manufacturers starting in 2018 will provide the same Service and Tooling information data through the DLC that the Dealers have.
There is discussion that certain manufacturers may install their own proprietary connectors such as we had with OBD1. We will monitor this possible engineering development closely and coordinate through NASTF to make sure our needs and those of our customers are met.
SAE J3138 Update
J3138 will be a new protocol that “secures” the J1962 Diagnostic Connector.
In the middle of 2016, the US Government asked SAE to convene a special committee to develop security standards for the DLC, mainly so a vehicle could not be “hacked”, infected or taken over by an unauthorized 3rd party.
Craig Johnson, ASCCA and Connected Cars Committee member, in also on this SAE committee. The SAE committee just wrote and voted on the document for J3138. Final clean up language is now taking place.
Trust and Anchors Task Force
A special task force formed within the SAE J3138 committee to develop and further define more technical aspects of future vehicle communications relating to the DLC connector. Again, ASCCA representation is in place.
NASTF Update
NASTF recently announced its 2018 Board of Directors. Donny Seyfer is the new Executive Director and Craig Johnson, ASCCA member and Connected Cars Committee member, was elected to the Board. NASTF is comprised of all segments of the auto industry which helps to resolve issues we have obtaining service information and tooling needed to fix vehicles at the Independent level.
The Connected Cars Committee will work through NASTF to ensure our members get access to tools, training and service information on vehicles we work on now and the new future technology that will be present in Autonomous and Connected vehicles. SIRs (Service Information Requests) are a quick way to get a resolve to information or tooling needed and not found on the manufacturers website. NASTF is now handling a large amount of LSID requests as manufacturers are requiring a LSID license when performing programming that related to security matters. This committee highly recommends you to obtain an LSID license if you program or configure modules or software on the vehicles you work on.
BAR Update
ASCCA Government Affairs Committee sits on the BAG (BAR Advisory Group) Committee. The Connected Cars committee works with ASCCA “Gov Comm”, the California BAR, CARB on upcoming legislation as it pertains to Connected vehicles. We participate in meetings relevant to the Connected Car as necessary.
Federal Regulation
US Senator Buddy Carter introduced a new bill that will be heard the first quarter of 2018, establishing an Advisory Committee comprised of all stakeholders regarding ownership, control, information, and data from Autonomous Vehicles. ASCCA is watching this proposal and coordinating with the Auto Care Association (ACA) on federal advocacy.
Current Perspective
Success of connected and autonomous vehicles will require a high level of coordination between many different stakeholders: government transportation agencies, state and federal policy makers, vehicle manufacturers, insurance providers, communications companies, and service providers like us.
Each of these parties have a lot of work ahead of them: while changes will come, they won’t happen overnight.
Our task in the Aftermarket is to stay informed and engaged in the change making, to ensure our needs are met. ASCCA serves this task, consolidating our influence, keeping watch, and working with other groups doing the same.
The Connected Car Committee was founded in 2017 with these objectives. As an ASCCA member you will receive the committee’s Quarterly Digest with ongoing news and activities, to stay informed.
ASCCA Connected Car Committee - Mission Statement:
The Committee shall protect the ability of ASCCA membership to do business in California, including safe, secure, and uninterrupted access to vehicle onboard systems and the required tools to fix them. Learn more about the CCC...
Learn more about the issues:
The Auto Care Association leads the charge on industry advocacy in Washington and sending an organized, informed message to consumers.
Partial List of 2018 Events
Jan 8 Consumer Telematics Show l Las Vegas, NV
Jan 9-12 Consumer Electronics Show l Las Vegas, NV
Jan 21-25 Heavy Duty (HD) Aftermarket Week | Las Vegas, NV
March 1-4 Vision Hi-tech Training & Expo l Kansas City, MO
March 16-18 Automotive Training Expo (ATE) l Seattle, WA
April 30 - May 1-3 ETI ToolTech/NASTF Meetings l Loews Ventana Canyon, Tucson, AZ
May 4-6 WorldPac Supplier & Training Expo l Gaylord Texan Resort, Dallas, Texas
June 8 Consumer Telematics l Las Vegas, NV
June 11-14 ETI Summer Tech Week | Detroit, MI
Aug 8-10 NACE l Atlanta, GA
October 30-Nov 1 AAPEX | Las Vegas, NV