Automotive Marketing Data Glossary

Automotive Marketing Data Terminology – Explanations and Use Cases

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ACES / CASE

Summary: Strategic megatrends in automotive: Autonomous, Connected, Electric, and Shared (a.k.a. CASE).

Use Cases:

• Align product strategy with OEM roadmaps

• Prioritize data products (e.g., EV, connected-car signals) in growth areas

 

ACES/PIES Fitment Standards

Summary: North American aftermarket data standards for parts taxonomy (PIES) and vehicle fitment mapping (ACES).

Use Cases:

• Normalize multi-brand parts catalogs for e‑commerce

• Reduce returns by accurate year/make/model/engine fitment

 

ADAS (Advanced Driver‑Assistance Systems)

Summary: Sensors and software that assist driving (e.g., lane-keep, AEB), generating rich signal for risk and mapping.

Use Cases:

• Price insurance by ADAS presence and usage

• Annotate HD maps with lane‑level features from ADAS fleets

 

Aftermarket Parts & Service Data

Summary: Repair orders, parts purchases, warranty and service histories from dealers and independents.

Use Cases:

• Predict part demand by region

• Retarget owners due for maintenance or recalls

 

API Aggregator (Vehicle Signals)

Summary: Platforms that standardize OEM connected‑car APIs into a single developer interface.

Use Cases:

• Pull odometer, fuel/SOC, lock/unlock across brands with one token

• Speed up app launches without separate OEM integrations

 

CAN Bus Data

Summary: Raw in‑vehicle network messages between ECUs; requires decoding to human‑readable signals.

Use Cases:

• Engineer new diagnostics and prognostics

• Detect component failure patterns for warranty

 

Clean Room (Mobility)

Summary: Privacy‑safe environment to match trip/owner datasets without exposing PII or precise locations.

Use Cases:

• Closed‑loop attribution for dealer visits

• Retail co‑ops analyzing shopper mobility

 

Connected Car Data

Summary: Telematics streamed from OEM TCUs: location traces, speed, SOC, diagnostics, events.

Use Cases:

• Build usage‑based insurance and driver scores

• Optimize charging, routing, fleet operations

 

Driver Consent & Permissible Use

Summary: Frameworks and user permissions that govern collection and sharing of vehicle/driver data.

Use Cases:

• Capture granular opt‑ins in apps or dongles

• Gate data products by use‑case eligibility

 

Driving Events (HB/HA/HC/Idle)

Summary: Derived behaviors like harsh braking/acceleration/cornering and idling from speed/acceleration traces.

Use Cases:

• Underwrite risk and coach drivers

• Detect unsafe routes and optimize logistics

 

EDR (Event Data Recorder)

Summary: ‘Black box’ that records pre/post‑crash vehicle data used in reconstructions and compliance.

Use Cases:

• Accident investigation and liability

• Validate ADAS performance in real‑world events

 

EV Battery Health (SOH/SOC)

Summary: Key EV metrics: State‑of‑Health and State‑of‑Charge; inform range, degradation and value.

Use Cases:

• Price EV residuals and warranties

• Route planning and smart charging optimization

 

EV Charging (EVSE) Data

Summary: Station locations, connectors, power, availability, pricing and session telemetry.

Use Cases:

• Plan networks and site selection

• In‑app routing to available fast chargers

 

Fleet Management System (FMS)

Summary: Software/hardware stack for fleets: tracking, routing, ELD/HoS, maintenance and safety.

Use Cases:

• Reduce fuel and overtime with route optimization

• Monitor compliance and uptime KPIs

 

Floating Car / Probe Data (FCD)

Summary: Anonymized location traces from vehicles/phones used to derive traffic speeds and flows.

Use Cases:

• Live traffic and travel‑time APIs

• Origin‑destination and congestion studies

 

Geofencing

Summary: Virtual perimeters that trigger rules or events when vehicles enter/exit or dwell.

Use Cases:

• Verify deliveries and service‑level compliance

• Block high‑risk areas or enable tolling

 

GNSS / GPS Trace Data

Summary: Satellite‑based positioning; the backbone for trip reconstruction and speed estimation.

Use Cases:

• Recreate trips for disputed claims

• Detect dwell, stops and visit frequency to POIs

 

HD Maps

Summary: Centimeter‑level maps with lanes, signage, curvature and localization features for ADAS/AV.

Use Cases:

• Enable lane‑level ADAS features

• Road attribute updates from connected fleets

 

Location De‑identification & Aggregation

Summary: Techniques (e.g., k‑anonymity, spatial/temporal fuzzing) to protect privacy in mobility datasets.

Use Cases:

• Publish city dashboards without re‑ID risk

• Share OD matrices with researchers safely

 

LPR / ANPR (Plate Recognition)

Summary: Computer vision to read license plates for tolling, parking, enforcement—subject to regulation.

Use Cases:

• Automate parking access and payments

• Support city congestion/toll programs with safeguards

 

MaaS (Mobility‑as‑a‑Service)

Summary: Integrated trip planning and payments across modes (ride‑hail, transit, micromobility).

Use Cases:

• Bundle car‑light mobility subscriptions

• Analyze mode shift and first/last‑mile gaps

 

MDS (Mobility Data Specification)

Summary: Open spec used by cities to manage shared mobility providers and data exchange.

Use Cases:

• Standardize scooter/bike feeds for regulators

• Enforce geofenced slow/ no‑ride zones

 

OBD‑II Dongle

Summary: Aftermarket device that reads DTCs and basic telemetry via the OBD port; pairs with apps/cellular.

Use Cases:

• Low‑cost telematics for SMB fleets

• DIY diagnostics and maintenance reminders

 

OEM Data Feeds

Summary: Automaker data products from factory‑installed TCUs and consented owners.

Use Cases:

• One‑to‑many access to standardized signals

• Enable services without hardware install

 

OTA (Over‑the‑Air) Updates

Summary: Remote software/firmware updates to vehicle ECUs and infotainment.

Use Cases:

• Roll out new ADAS/UX features post‑sale

• Patch vulnerabilities at scale

 

Parking & Curbside Data

Summary: Inventory, rules, prices and availability for on‑/off‑street parking and curb uses.

Use Cases:

• Driver wayfinding and dynamic pricing

• Freight/ride‑hail curb management

 

Road Attributes & Speed Limits

Summary: Authoritative layers: speed limits, curvature, grade, signage, restrictions and hazards.

Use Cases:

• Safety scoring by road context

• Truck routing that avoids restrictions

 

Sensor Fusion (Camera/LiDAR/Radar)

Summary: Combining multiple sensors to improve detection, localization and redundancy.

Use Cases:

• Improve ADAS perception accuracy

• Validate weather/lighting edge‑case performance

 

TCU (Telematics Control Unit)

Summary: Embedded module connecting the vehicle to cloud services via cellular/Wi‑Fi.

Use Cases:

• Stream real‑time telemetry to platforms

• Deliver OTA updates and remote commands

 

UBI (Usage‑Based Insurance)

Summary: Pricing insurance from telematics‑derived behavior, mileage and context.

Use Cases:

• Pay‑how‑you‑drive or pay‑per‑mile products

• Retention via safe‑driver coaching apps

 

V2X (Vehicle‑to‑Everything)

Summary: Direct or network‑assisted communication with vehicles, infrastructure, pedestrians and networks.

Use Cases:

• Signal priority at smart intersections

• Co‑operative safety alerts and platooning

 

Vehicle History & Title Data

Summary: Records on ownership, liens, mileage, accidents and salvage; aggregated from DMVs/insurers/repairers.

Use Cases:

• Fraud checks for dealers and lenders

• Consumer vehicle reports for used‑car listings

 

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Summary: Unique 17‑character identifier encoding manufacturer, model, year and plant.

Use Cases:

• Match disparate datasets to the same vehicle

• Gate features by VIN eligibility

 

Vehicle Lifecycle & Residual Value

Summary: Models of depreciation and total cost of ownership across ownership phases.

Use Cases:

• Lease pricing and remarketing

• Predictive inventory decisions for fleets/dealers

 

Vehicle Recall Data

Summary: Open and OEM notices of safety defects and required remedies.

Use Cases:

• Recall outreach and owner matching

• Suppress ads for affected vehicles until fixed

 

VIN Decoding & Build Sheet

Summary: Translates VIN and OEM build data to exact trims, options, engines and ADAS packages.

Use Cases:

• Target campaigns by installed features

• Parts fitment and service plan accuracy