Automotive suppliers warn against weakening the EU Data Act

Brussels, 30 October 2025 – CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers is deeply concerned that the EU Data Act could be watered down by the upcoming Digital Omnibus initiative expected in mid-November. One month after its implementation, the association stresses that the Data Act contains crucial provisions to foster investments in data-based services by empowering consumers to share their data generated in connected products. 

The Data Act is a cornerstone of Europe’s digital transformation and a vital instrument to guarantee open and fair access to data. It empowers SMEs and start-ups to innovate by reducing the dominance of a few large players that currently control key industrial and user-generated data.  

In the automotive sector, CLEPA sees the Data Act as an important first step towards the greater sharing and utilisation of data generated in vehicles. The European Commission’s Guidance Paper has provided further clarity on which data and related services fall within scope, underlining the relevance of the Data Act for the mobility ecosystem.  

Together with Caruso Dataplace, CLEPA is analysing which datasets—including meta data—are available, and identifying potential use cases and services that emerge from enhanced access.  

“Across Europe, businesses have the talent and ideas to innovate,” said Benjamin Krieger, CLEPA’s Secretary General. “But they can’t fully grow because the data they need is locked away by data holders such as Big Tech or vehicle manufacturers. The Data Act helps levelling the playing field, especially for small and mid-sized companies and start-ups.” 

This essential legislation: 
✅ Enables businesses to share industrial and user-generated data with third parties 
✅ Protects them from unfair contractual terms 
✅ Ensures fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory data sharing 

Automotive suppliers need stability and transparency 

To foster innovation and sustain Europe’s competitiveness, automotive suppliers require a stable business environment for long-term investments. Companies need transparency on available data by brand and vehicle type to plan effectively and deploy digital solutions at scale. 

Currently, the industry faces uncertainty: market conditions are difficult to predict, and access to data—including technical and economic terms—depends on a small number of dominant data holders, who often act as competitors with own data-based services. The Data Act represents a fundamental step toward a clear and reliable framework, essential for businesses to invest confidently in data-driven technologies and next-generation mobility solutions. 

“Automotive suppliers—and all European innovators—need enabling legislation and fair access to data,” Benjamin Krieger added. “We urge the European Commission to resist any weakening of the Data Act and provide clear guidance so the entire mobility ecosystem can thrive fairly in Europe’s data economy.”