American Vehicle Owners Alliance

AVOA is a coalition committed to protecting vehicle owners’ rights to access and control all the data generated by their vehicles.

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

Congress spent last week's transportation innovation hearing discussing connected vehicles, automation, cybersecurity, and transportation data. As members and witnesses discussed the transportation ecosystem, one theme came through clearly: data will shape the next generation of transportation.

In a new blog, AVOA Executive Director Richard Ward explains why vehicle-generated data belongs in any serious conversation about transportation innovation, competition, affordability, and consumer choice.

Read the full recap: https://t.co/ISMlDW5HXk

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

President Trump recently met with auto industry executives, where right-to-repair issues were raised. His reaction echoed what many vehicle owners are likely thinking: if you bought the vehicle, why shouldn’t you decide who repairs it?

The reality is that repair, fleet management, safety apps, and EV charging tools all depend on access to vehicle-generated data. If manufacturers control that data, they control who can compete.

More from AVOA's Richard Ward: https://t.co/I6nF2m04Bs

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

Today, we submitted a statement for the record with the @SenateCommerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation.

Our message is simple: My Car, My Data. Vehicle owners should control access to the data generated by their vehicles.

Read our full statement here: https://t.co/M94Z7jzVjm

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

At Wednesday's House Energy & Commerce hearing, lawmakers in both parties raised concerns about connected vehicles, geolocation tracking, driving behavior data, and meaningful consumer consent.

AVOA's position remains simple: vehicle owners should control whether and how their vehicle-generated data is accessed, shared, and used.
Read more: https://t.co/SFFVYmaMrF

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

Automakers are building amazingly sophisticated vehicles, moving from mechanics to sensors as their capabilities expand.

However, it doesn't change the fact that the data the owner generates is distinct from any proprietary data or patents and therefore rightfully belongs to the vehicle's owner, Richard Ward explains on @Automotive_News' Shift podcast.

Listen to the full conversation on The Shift podcast: https://t.co/bLZcFLB0Wf

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

When you bought your vehicle, you didn't sign away the right to know where it's been or what it's doing. But that's effectively what's happening as automakers claim ownership over the data your vehicle generates, and with limited #privacy safeguards.

AVOA believes you should control who sees it and how it gets used. Learn more: https://t.co/7nMCDip8Wd

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

The next transportation economy will be built on vehicle data. The question is: who controls it?

AVOA's Richard Ward argues that vehicle owners—not manufacturers—should have control over the data generated by their vehicles. Congress can help make that possible through the DRIVER Act. Read more: https://t.co/UL6PJY48NB

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

Read the newest blog from AVOA Executive Director Richard Ward examining automakers' subscription-based model and the impacts on drivers' already tight budgets today.

Congress should pass legislation that protects drivers and clarifies vehicle ownership and protections for the data generated by a person’s vehicle. More: https://t.co/XAAeakW4H5

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

Yesterday, the House Transportation & Infrastructure and Energy & Commerce committees held markups for their respective Title Bills for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization. AVOA is glad that Congress understands the importance of vehicle data access and looks forward to working with members of both committees on this bipartisan issue.

Our full statement: https://t.co/bMYWnkMja2

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

"Vehicle ownership should include meaningful access to vehicle-generated data. Congress should make that clear."

Our members @CarRentalSafety, @TRALAorg & the American Automotive Leasing Association penned a piece asking Congress to modernize vehicle data policy.

Full article: https://t.co/NkHCf5mm10

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

"Remember when buying a car meant paying once, grabbing the keys, and driving off into the sunset? That era may be fading fast,” the Daily Mail notes in a new report on how car manufacturers are charging car owners for features that use their data long after they buy the car.

Ownership shouldn't stop at the hardware. The data your vehicle generates should belong to you. 🔗https://t.co/baPn2MPL5t

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

Today's connected cars enable data sharing functions through the vehicle's infotainment system settings. As drivers look for ways to opt out and protect their data, privacy regulators say the process is often limited or complicated.

Vehicle data access legislation is a critical step necessary to protect vehicle owners and their driving behaviors. Read more: https://t.co/VaJXQbVS0l

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

Guaranteed access to vehicle data delivers tangible benefits for cities: more efficient operations,  local control over public assets, safer vehicles and drivers and stronger public accountability, writes Exec. Director Rich Ward for @leagueofcities.

Read the full piece: https://t.co/Scoo7XNeSm

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

John Deere has agreed to settle a major right-to-repair class action lawsuit, paying $99M to farmers overcharged as far back as 2018, and providing access to repair software after years of legal battles.

The case has the potential to affect the automotive and transportation industry next, as software control becomes central to ownership rights.

@CARandDRIVERMag takes a closer look at the case and its implications for vehicle owners: https://t.co/qvpTbQ0XPR

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

AVOA is proud to support the DRIVER Act, which will put American vehicle owners back in control of their vehicle data. Thank you to @RepHarshbarger for leading this effort and supporting vehicle data access!
https://t.co/SjLxdeh74D

[Washington Reporter @DC_Reporter]

.@RepHarshbarger explains her new legislation that empowers drivers to own their car’s data.

Rep Harsharger's DRIVERS Act "affirms that when you buy a car, you own the data and can access it securely, in real-time."

Read more here:

https://t.co/qGeT11tkOd

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

When vehicles are reliable, affordable, and easy to service, people can get to work, businesses can operate, and fleets can stay on schedule. This ripple effect shows that the automotive ecosystem creates a wide range of economic activity, from manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers in communities nationwide.

As vehicles become more advanced, ensuring that their ecosystem remains accessible, competitive, and innovative will matter more. Ivo writes more on this for @TheFastMode: https://t.co/NhjF3AWmGx

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

This week, @ACRADrives sent a letter to @HouseCommerce Chair @RepGuthrie urging lawmakers to protect vehicle data ownership and access as part of the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization. 🚘📢

Read the full letter at: https://t.co/GHGm1a0VgE

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

As Congress considers legislative proposals around vehicle data privacy, access and ownership, our coalition of members has been working hard to keep the focus on expanding access and safety for vehicle owners over protecting corporate interests.

Read more about how this issue impacts city municipalities, emergency responder services in Executive Director Richard Ward's newest piece: https://t.co/sFWwsODx1D

[American Vehicle Owners Alliance @VehicleOwners]

🚚 Last week, AVOA member @TRALAorg submitted a letter to @HouseCommerce and @EnergyCommerce in support of the DRIVER Act. We agree: if you own the car, you should own the data.
Read the full letter urging Congress to codify that principle ⬇️
https://t.co/xJQuT2a3jZ