The report, Strategic Challenges for Remote Diagnostics in Europe, looks at the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods and shows the advantages to be gained from remote systems in distinct areas: -

-Enhanced B-call, transmitting wireless data in the event of a vehicle breakdown
-Dealership link, sending data relating to any malfunction direct to the motorist's dealership
-Warranty analysis, enabling manufacturers to monitor trends such a component reliability and life cycles
-Remote software download, enabling manufacturers to provide a software patch to fix malfunctioning components, avoiding the need for a vehicle recall

The report charts the limited progress car manufacturers have made thus far in developing diagnostic services, with some having abandoned projects because of the difficulties encountered and others proposing more ambitious applications.

SBD identifies consumer reluctance to pay subscriptions for telematics services as a key factor in limiting the prospects for widespread uptake of remote diagnostics as a vehicle option and concludes that manufacturers should consider “piggy-backingEtheir services on other telematics systems that have greater driver appeal. Its study also explores how manufacturers and dealerships will need to build new co-operative business models, in order for both parties to gain tangible benefits from the technology.


The European Commission's proposal for a public E-call service to be established by 2009 could see all new vehicles equipped with communications platforms capable of supporting additional telematics services, including remote diagnostics. The report illustrates how the Europe-wide launch of E-call could provide the launch pad for increasingly sophisticated diagnostics services and gives a road map for successful future business development.