Access to vehicle maintenance and repair data is under threat from vehicle manufacturers. Historically, OBD-2 ports have granted vehicle owners and technicians access to vehicle data to assist with maintenance and repair.

Today, that data is transmitted wirelessly (telematics) and sent directly and only to the vehicle manufacturer, who then serves as a gatekeeper, determining who can have access and at what cost.

Lack of access to repair data hurts consumers:

• Increased repair costs from required trips to dealerships
• Limited choice in where they take their vehicle for maintenance and repair
• Lack of privacy: manufacturers collect terabytes of data from vehicles, often without drivers' knowledge

For the aftermarket, it means:

• Loss of innovation
• Lack of competition
• Reduced collaboration