Providing a Remote Diagnostics Service is Potentially One of the Most Useful Applications of Vehicle Telematics

DUBLIN, Ireland--Jan. 18, 2006--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c31071) has announced the addition of European Telematics: The Strategic Challenges For Remote Diagnostics in Europe to their offering.

This report looks at the challenges and the potential benefits for vehicle manufacturers in advancing remote diagnostics systems in Europe. Providing a remote diagnostics service is potentially one of the most useful applications of vehicle telematics. However, early efforts to launch first generation systems have revealed fundamental commercial and technical challenges, which vehicle manufacturers will have to address if the full benefits of the technology are to be realised.

This new report looks in depth at the prospects for the successful development of remote vehicle diagnostics in Europe. It details the functions that could be offered and the potential rewards for motorists, manufacturers and dealerships. It also highlights the complex issues that need to be resolved to make remote diagnostics a workable, large-scale solution.

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.

The report 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" their services on other telematics systems that have greater driver appeal. The 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.

This report provides an introductory analysis of the business, technical and strategic challenges that vehicle manufacturers must overcome when developing remote diagnostics applications in Europe. The report considers the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods and identifies the benefits that remote diagnostics can enable. It provides a summary of the existing services offered by vehicle manufacturers and the business models that are expected to be important for the future. The final chapters review the technical and organisational challenges that remain and present a realistic roadmap for future success.

Companies Mentioned:

- BMW

- Fiat

- Mercedes Benz

- Opel

- Volvo

- VolksWagen

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c31071