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

  • TomTom partners with UN-Habitat
    November 29, 2013
    TomTom has announced a partnership with UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme. TomTom’s global Traffic Index data will be used by UN-Habitat and its stakeholders around the world to make strategic decisions when tackling urban congestion. Recently TomTom released the sixth edition of its Traffic Index which revealed a clear pattern of increased congestion. Commuters around the world are spending on average eight working days stuck in traffic. This shows that traditional responses li
  • Mature solutions for emerging economies
    June 8, 2015
    Siemens’ Marcus Welz talks to David Crawford about suitable ITS solutions for emerging economies. Be bold in vision - and output - and user-oriented in practice,” Marcus Welz advises emerging economies planning ITS investments. Says the Siemens Group senior vice president and global sales director for ITS: “Their road users need better, more reliable and safer trips – but without costs increasing too much. The good news is that many countries are already tackling the big issues of traffic and the environmen
  • Driverless vehicles just around the corner?
    February 28, 2013
    umors that self-driving taxis are about to hit the streets of Las Vegas have turned out to be untrue… but the age of the driverless vehicle is only just around the corner, as Pete Goldin finds out. From Herbie the Love Bug to Knight Rider to the cast of the Pixar film Cars, the autono­mous auto has long been a beloved icon in the entertainment industry. But how close is the fiction to fact? The general public might be surprised to find out just how soon autonomous vehicles could be driving on our roadways.
  • Utah DoT and Panasonic get connected
    August 30, 2019
    Utah is making smart roadways a priority and has entered a partnership with Panasonic to move things forward. Adam Hill asks Utah DoT to outline where the state is heading Utah Department of Transportation (UDoT) has form when it comes to connectivity. It built the first operational connected vehicle corridor in the US – and has now joined up with Panasonic to extend its operation. “When we work with technology providers, we are working together to get that win-win,” says Carlos Braceras, UDoT executi