Belron celebrates ruling in the Regional Court of Cologne in favour of Carglass Germany and ATU

Date: Thursday 16 May 2024

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The decision from the Regional Court of Cologne re-affirms the principles established by the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) on 5 October, 2023, in the matter of Secure Gateways. The ruling reinforces the importance of a fair and level playing field in the automotive aftermarket and the benefits this brings to consumers. Independent service providers are key in driving competition and providing consumer choice, and today’s decision will ensure this remains the case.

Certain aftermarket services, including recalibration of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (“ADAS”) following windscreen replacement or solving problems indicated by a warning lamp, require access to a car data stream. Some vehicle manufacturers are increasingly obstructing access, creating technical hurdles and requiring payment of licence fees. This adds unnecessary cost and affects free competition in the aftermarket and consumers’ freedom of choice, and can lead to higher prices for consumers.

While Belron fully acknowledges the need for vehicle manufacturers to be able to address cybersecurity on vehicles, this must be in line with the principles of openness and ensuring a level playing field highlighted by the ECJ.  Belron is committed to continued engagement with all relevant stakeholders, including vehicle manufacturers and the European Commission, on how to best move forward in a way that does not compromise these fundamentals.

Carlos Brito, CEO of Belron*, commented:

“We welcome today’s decision by the Regional Court of Cologne, which builds on the principles set out by the ECJ in October. 

Access to a vehicle’s data stream via the OBD port is essential to workshops all across Europe, and today’s ruling protects the ability for independent service providers to continue working without incurring unwanted hindrance or costs. This is a principle that Belron will continue championing.

“At the same time, we remain committed to working constructively with all vehicle manufacturers and the European Commission to ensure that consumers continue to benefit from the competition provided by the independent aftermarket.”

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