Car manufacturers must provide access to car data for companies working with or on their vehicles, ruled the European Court of Justice, and any carmaker that sells in the European Union, Japan, Australia and other countries will consequentally be required to share their data with suppliers.

The ruling stems from a 2021 lawsuit filed by A.T.U., a German car-maintenance company, and Carglass Germany, a Belron-owned brand, the Wall Street Journal reported. The case, originally filed in a German court, centered on the technology system that controls access to vehicle data.

The plaintiffs contended it's unfair for suppliers to be denied access to the data. With the increasing number of internet-connected features in new car models, companies servicing the cars argue they need quicker access to data, the paper said.

Auto manufacturers maintained they couldn't share the data for cybersecurity reasons. But the court determined the cybersecurity obligations don't justify blocking car servicers from accessing car data.

The ruling resolved a dispute between Belron, A.T.U. and Fiat Chrysler over car data access.

Uses for data generated by cars is growing. The article noted that manufacturers might use it to partner with entertainment companies to provide new in-car options. Outside companies might use the data to offer tailored services, like driving-based insurance policies.

As the uses grow, so too do the income possibilities for the data, the article noted. Market research firm Gartner forecasts that by 2027, the average annual digital revenue per connected car will surpass $400, compared to the current $40.

But auto suppliers say they need access to car data to carry out basic services on new models, now loaded with digital components.

The European Court of Justice also stressed the requirements don’t conflict with other laws that regulate the way suppliers get access to data, the WSJ reported.