Skip to main content

Automobile industry explores passenger car connectivity

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has brought together key industry stakeholders and policy makers to review the opportunities and challenges related to passenger car connectivity. The conference explored how automotive connectivity technologies could revolutionise personal mobility, as well as examining some of the challenges faced in rolling out connected cars. ACEA president Carlos Ghosn, European Commissioner for Digital Society and Economy Günther Oettinger, and Director Gene
December 10, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (6175 ACEA) has brought together key industry stakeholders and policy makers to review the opportunities and challenges related to passenger car connectivity. The conference explored how automotive connectivity technologies could revolutionise personal mobility, as well as examining some of the challenges faced in rolling out connected cars.

ACEA president Carlos Ghosn, European Commissioner for Digital Society and Economy Günther Oettinger, and Director General of 1690 European Commission Directorate General for Mobility and Transport João Aguiar Machado each gave their respective views on the future of passenger car connectivity during the conference.

During his opening address during the event, Ghosn, who is also CEO of Renault, said "Our industry already is working with technology companies and other players as we embrace connectivity and more advanced concepts of mobility. To continue moving towards the car of the future, our industry is developing partnerships with policymakers, universities, infrastructure providers, start-ups, established tech companies, telecoms and service providers."

Ghosn highlighted some of the benefits of connectivity to consumers adding, "Connectivity means driving will become considerably safer. It also means more efficient mobility by reducing unproductive time during driving – such as when you are stuck in slow traffic. We all have in common the need for more time, and the ability to make the most effective and pleasant use of that time. As an industry, we can use connected technologies to respond to that need."

Remarks by many of the panellists illuminated the potential for smart connectivity to improve the management of traffic congestion in cities and help address the challenge of reducing emissions more effectively. Industry representatives in attendance also emphasised their commitment to privacy and data protection.

ACEA secretary general Erik Jonnaert concluded, "In Europe we need a supportive, predictable framework that enables manufacturers and suppliers to provide the best possible experience to drivers."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Impact of US economic stimulus programme on ITS industry
    August 2, 2012
    Pete Goldin reports on the public sector perspective in this second article exploring the impact of the US economic stimulus programme on the domestic ITS industry The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was enacted in February 2009 to help stimulate the US economy in the face of global recession. Of measures worth a nominal total of $787 billion, the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) received just over $48 billion with which to promote short-term economic recovery and an additional $1.5 bil
  • Call for a new vision for ITS in America
    February 1, 2012
    An ITIF report published at the beginning of this year stated that America is falling behind other developed nations in terms of ITS technologies and their deployment to address safety, congestion and environmental challenges. The report asked for a stronger commitment from the US federal government (see 'Just crawling along', interview with senior ITIF analyst Stephen Ezell, ITS International March-April 2010, pp.NA1-NA2) in order to address what it sees as increasing disparities with other countries. The
  • Call for a new vision for ITS in America
    February 6, 2012
    Pete Goldin talks to Dr. Joseph Sussman, Chairman of the ITS Program Advisory Committee, about the state of intelligent transport systems in America
  • GridMatrix goes back to the future in New York City
    September 25, 2023
    Legacy traffic management infrastructure doesn’t have to be a marker of the past: software upgrades can bring it into the present in a cost-effective and timely way, says Gordon Feller