CLEPA Conference – 2025

Last week, CARUSO’s Managing Director, Marina Ribke, and Head of Platform Engineering, Jens Knodel, proudly represented CARUSO at the CLEPA Aftermarket Conference 2025 in Brussels. This annual gathering is one of the most influential events for the European automotive aftermarket industry, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss the trends, innovations, and regulatory frameworks shaping the future of mobility.

The 2025 edition of the conference placed a strong emphasis on Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), vehicle electrification, and above all, access to vehicle data. As vehicles evolve from mechanical machines into software-powered platforms, it’s clear that data is becoming the new engine of innovation across the entire mobility ecosystem.

📢 A Clear Message from CARUSO: The Aftermarket Must Lead the Way

At CARUSO, our mission is to empower the independent aftermarket with seamless access to connected car data. In Brussels, we delivered a strong message to industry leaders and policymakers:

💡 “The aftermarket must take the lead in co-creating data-driven mobility solutions—before it’s left behind.”

While OEMs and large tech companies are already innovating rapidly, the independent aftermarket—composed of workshops, parts distributors, service providers, and fleet operators—still faces significant barriers in accessing vehicle data. As Software-Defined Vehicles become the norm, the ability to retrieve and utilize real-time vehicle data will be critical for competitiveness, service innovation, and customer satisfaction.

⚠️ The Challenge: Regulation is Lagging Behind Technology

One of the most pressing challenges we addressed at CLEPA is the lack of clearly defined legal use cases for connected vehicle data. While the technology to access data from modern vehicles is readily available, the legal and regulatory frameworks are still catching up. This regulatory gap limits innovation in vital areas such as:

• Remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance

• Fleet management and optimization

• Automated crash detection and emergency response

• Personalized vehicle services and in-car experiences

Without legal certainty and industry-wide standards, businesses are hesitant to invest in new use cases. Innovation is slowed, and the end customer misses out on the full potential of connected mobility.

✅ The Good News: CARUSO Has Already Built the Foundation

Despite the challenges, there is good news: CARUSO already enables secure access to data from 90% of connected vehicles in Europe, representing over 30 car brands. Through a single standardized API, our platform gives service providers access to over 300 harmonized data items—ranging from odometer readings and fuel levels to tire pressure and fault codes.

This kind of access means that service providers no longer need to develop one-off integrations with every OEM. Instead, they can build scalable, future-ready solutions that are interoperable across brands and platforms.

Our platform is secure, compliant with GDPR, and designed to serve the unique needs of the independent aftermarket. Whether you’re a workshop software provider, a telematics platform, or a fleet operator, CARUSO helps you tap into the data revolution without the hassle.

In her keynote at CLEPA, Marina Ribke issued a powerful call to action:

📢 “The data is available. Now we need pioneers—collaborative, bold players ready to lead the aftermarket into a connected future.”

If you’re unsure where to start, or if you’re wondering what’s already possible today, we’re here to help. Our team at CARUSO works closely with innovators across Europe to unlock new business models, pilot cutting-edge solutions, and prepare for the next wave of mobility.

The automotive industry is undergoing its biggest transformation in a century. Connectivity, electrification, and AI are redefining what vehicles can do—and what customers expect.

For the independent aftermarket, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvent itself as a data-driven, agile, and value-creating sector. But time is of the essence. Those who wait risk falling behind. Those who act now have the chance to lead.

Whether you’re a developer, entrepreneur, fleet manager, or automotive innovator, now is the time to get involved.

📬 Let’s Connect

Interested in learning more? Want to explore what’s already possible with connected vehicle data?

👉 Drop a message to Marina Ribke or Jens Knodel. We’re happy to guide you through our platform and help you identify real-world use cases tailored to your business.

Check out more about the event here:👉