Following a spike in investor interest, we discuss the alternative data segment that is connected vehicle data. The report defines what connected vehicle data is, the outputs that the vehicles can provide, key investment use cases, and how the data can be accessed by the buy-side. We also discuss notable challenges regarding this category of alternative data.

WHAT IS CONNECTED VEHICLE DATA?

In 1996, General Motors became the first OEM to introduce a connected vehicle to the market. In partnership with Motorola, GM launched On Star, an in-vehicle safety system that allowed Cadillac owners to use voice calls to contact a call centre, who then got in touch with emergency responders when an airbag was deployed (GM heritage centre, 2020).

Over time, connected vehicles have expanded beyond Cadillacs and GM-owned brands, to an industry that currently has