So you think Google and Facebook collect information about you, well now eCall will collect all your driving habits and vehicle data

Could this spell trouble for Independents with all vehicle technical information (faults etc) being sent back to the manufacturer and dealers?

"It could take just 4 years from the roll out of eCall in all new vehicles manufactured in the EU to the point at which the vast majority of new cars will be able to transmit driver behaviour data. The prediction from Wunelli, the telematics solutions provider to the insurance sector also comes with a warning to motor manufacturers to start preparing for the big data issues they will face in terms of transmission, storage, access and usage.

Sandy Dunn, Chairman of Wunelli says: “We believe eCall is the first phase in a three step process which will see the vast majority of new cars collecting driver behaviour information by 2019. This is irrespective of speculation that the UK Government may press ahead with the compulsory introduction of telematics in all new vehicles following Italy’s lead.”

Wunelli believes that following the rollout of eCall, the next phase will be the implementation of technology in vehicles to enable motor manufacturers to take a more proactive role in fault management. This is likely to occur in or by 2017. Two years later, they predict the third phase will occur where technology is installed to allow driver behaviour data to be collected and, with customer permission sold or used for underwriting purposes.

Sandy Dunn continues “There are some big questions motor manufacturers need to be asking themselves right now so that they can start gearing up for a future in which they may be custodians of driving behaviour data. Looking to the insurance sector and aligning themselves in terms of strategy and technology is a logical approach. It also makes sense to consider the benefits of working with roadside assistance companies given their strong tie-in at sale with 3 year extended warranties for new vehicles.

“The potential for the information is enormous. Frankly, there’s no time to be lost. By 2015 it’s predicted that 2.15m drivers in the UK will be using telematics based insurance policies. Motor Manufacturers need to start getting in on the act and get ready for a future where every single day they will receive thousands upon thousands of pieces of driving behaviour information which they will need to be able to collect, analyse and validate.

“With the exception of Citroen which is the first manufacturer to offer cars with inbuilt telematics in the UK, this is a whole new ball game for most manufacturers. The winners will be those that start preparing now, taking from the experiences of the insurance sector and working with independent telematics experts such as Wunelli to develop their strategy so that when the time comes, the data deluge can create huge commercial advantage.”

UKAT