Case study
Beyond compliance
- how two automotive OEMs turned regulatory pressure into business opportunity
Data Act compliance isn't about checking boxes, but about fundamentally reimagining how automotive data creates value.
Starting point
The automotive industry faced a seismic shift with the European Data Act's implementation in September 2025. Control over vehicle data transferred from manufacturers to vehicle owners. Every OEM operating in European markets must now provide owners with free access to vehicle-generated data, create mechanisms for third-party data sharing, ensure GDPR compliance, and maintain comprehensive documentation of all data flows and user consents.
This regulatory transformation proved particularly challenging for Asian OEMs, where data dispersion across continents amplifies complexity beyond what European manufacturers face. Two of our Japanese automotive partners confronted this exact challenge: delivering full Data Act compliance within regulatory deadlines while navigating cross-continental operations.
We approached each engagement differently, recognizing that effective compliance solutions must be tailored to each organization's unique operational context and existing infrastructure.
OEM 1: From distributed data landscape to unified compliance architecture
Challenge:
Vehicle data doesn't respect organizational boundaries – it flows through sensors, telematics systems, and business units following paths shaped by technical evolution rather than strategic design. For this client, achieving Data Act compliance first required answering a fundamental question: where does our data actually live, and how does it move? Understanding the existing ecosystem and mapping dependencies became essential prerequisites before architecting compliant solutions.
Understanding the business logic and data flow
We initiated our engagement with a comprehensive discovery phase and workshops at the client's headquarters. The initial meetings immediately revealed the project's complexity and the significant dispersion of data across different entities within the organization. More than a month of foundational activities enabled us to bridge the client's business knowledge gaps, map their entire ecosystem, and gain clear understanding of data origins and flows throughout their vehicle operations.Step by step, addressing each missing element, we developed the framework for the desired architecture and identified the primary risks that could expose the company to regulatory violations.
Developing and implementing the compliance architecture
Our technological implementation began with comprehensive user stories and UI designs that met all brand guidelines while adhering to modern application design principles. Despite challenges in gathering complete information about the company's data flows, we demonstrated creativity and maintained a proactive approach that enabled us to develop and implement the solution on schedule. The outcome was a complementary data management platform that allowed the client to achieve required legal compliance and avoid potential penalties the European Union could impose for non-compliance.
Comprehensive legal advisory support
A critical component of this eight-month engagement extended beyond business and technical implementation to include specialized legal support — representing unique value for a technology consultancy. Working closely with our legal department, we developed and authored the specific user interface instructions, system messages, and application guidelines required for data circulation processes. These in-application communications satisfied strict legal requirements while remaining comprehensible to vehicle owners.
Design compliance architecture as foundation for data monetization and customer engagement.
OEM 2: Orchestrating compliance across products, platforms, and continents
Challange
Compliance projects present a unique challenge: the European Data Act itself doesn't specify how compliance solutions should be technically designed, and data management terminology remains highly imprecise. While our first client required building architecture from the ground up, this engagement involved working with a well-established system operating across multiple product lines. The primary challenge became orchestrating the entire project, managing complex workflows, and integrating diverse systems across the organization.
Our task was to create Data Act compliance for the client's 3 leading products: cars, powertools, and motorcycles.
Orchestrating complexity at scale
The high security and platform architecture requirements set by headquarters in Japan, combined with the project's inherent complexity, meant that 20-30% of our team's capacity was dedicated to communication and project management coordination.
Through regular client meetings, operational transparency, and deep understanding of the OEM's business and operational requirements, we successfully implemented the project within the established timeframe. The client achieved full European Data Act compliance while building operational foundations that position them to pursue future monetization activities based on data distribution.
From regulatory pressure to strategic foundation
Summary
Data Act compliance isn't one-size-fits-all — each organization requires fundamentally different approaches based on their existing data architecture and operational complexity. Our two Japanese OEM engagements proved that successful implementation demands not just technical expertise, but also adaptive coordination across continents, time zones, and diverse team structures.
If you're facing similar compliance challenges — whether scattered data landscapes, multi-product complexity, or cross-continental coordination — our Databoostr platform provides the comprehensive solution for compliance management, from discovery through implementation.
Transform your regulatory requirements into competitive advantage.
Get in touch to discuss Databoostr implementation.