On May 28, a bipartisan group from the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce sent letters to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and 17 automakers requesting information on automotive cybersecurity. According to a report from the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the letters asked for details about how the automotive industry plans to address the challenges associated with expanding technologies such as in-vehicle Wi-Fi, infotainment systems and increased smartphone connectivity. In the letters, the committee also asked for specific examples of how automakers are working with the federal government to identify and resolve cyber vulnerabilities.

According to ASA’s report, the letters expressed optimism about the benefits of emerging technologies, but remained realistic about the potential risks. In an excerpt from the letter to NHTSA, committee members stated, “While threats to vehicle technology currently appear isolated and disparate, as the technology becomes more prevalent, so too will the risks associated with it. Threats and vulnerabilities in vehicle systems may be inevitable, but we cannot allow this to undermine the potential benefits of these technologies. The industry and NHTSA have an opportunity to prepare for challenges that advanced vehicle technologies present and to develop strategies to mitigate the risks.”

In its report, ASA noted that it has been involved with new vehicle technologies and telematics, hosting aftermarket and automaker forums and educational sessions, as well as meeting with congressional and administration policymakers. ASA will host its second Technology & Telematics Forum during NACE | CARS July 23 in Detroit.

To see the list of automakers and read the full text of the letters, please click here.