A survey conducted in August by Ipsos, on behalf of the Auto Care Association, found that 86% of consumers said vehicle owners should have access to driver and vehicle telematics. Additionally, the survey found 88% of consumers believe a vehicle’s owner should decide who has access to this data.

The findings from this survey come at a time when there is continued debate over vehicle data. Each year, vehicles get “smarter” and infused with telematic technologies, which enable real-time, wireless transmission of information related to driving behavior, such as steering, acceleration and breaking; and vehicle health, including fuel use, emissions and engine hours. However, as this technology has advanced, vehicle manufacturers are gaining exclusive access to vehicle data at the expense of consumers.

“These results should be a wake-up call to automakers,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of Auto Care Association. “At a time when Americans don’t see eye to eye on many issues, the results of this survey revealed a large majority of consumers support their right to gain full access to their vehicle data…. Without the right to control where their data goes, car owners may face greater inconvenience, greater cost and fewer options for taking care of their vehicle.”

Among the survey’s most notable findings was a low awareness of telematics, a form of wireless technology in vehicles that aims to make the driving experience safer and more convenient through monitoring and data collection, including maintenance and repair information. Nearly 3 in 4 consumers (72%) said they had not heard anything about telematics. Once provided with a definition, 63% of respondents still said they were not very or not at all familiar with telematics.

The implications for this lack of awareness were also apparent. Remote diagnosis of vehicle problems is one of the primary selling points of telematics; however, currently, only vehicle manufacturers can take advantage of this information. As a result, vehicle owners have little to no choice when it comes to servicing their vehicle.

The survey found 71% of respondents incorrectly assumed that the vehicle owner has access to driver and vehicle data, which was greater than the percentage of respondents who assumed the vehicle manufacturer and the dealership have access to this data (59% and 44%, respectively). And nearly half of respondents (45%) incorrectly believed that vehicle owners own their car’s data.

The survey’s respondents also reported mixed feelings about advancements in vehicle technology:

• 80% agreed that the advancements in safety technology in vehicles make them feel safer on the road. However, 70% said they believe technological advancements in vehicles are making drivers too dependent on safety features
• 50% said they are skeptical of new technology in vehicles
• 59% said they specifically look for new technology features in vehicles they are considering to purchase or lease, while 45% prefer vehicles with less technology features.