What does Porsche’s decision to continue selling the 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman, and Macan in the UK while withdrawing them from the EU mean for British consumers? This move comes as a response to the forthcoming UNECE WP.29 Cybersecurity regulation, which will prohibit the sale of non-compliant models in the EU starting from July 1st. While British consumers may be pleased with Porsche’s decision, it raises concerns about the vulnerabilities of these cars to theft or hacking.
The UNECE WP.29 Cybersecurity regulation focuses on ensuring vehicle cybersecurity. It requires every new car sold in the EU to come with a certificate confirming that it is protected against 70 vulnerabilities, including cyber attacks, throughout its development, production, and post-production stages. Retrofitting models to comply with this regulation has proven difficult and expensive, leading to the withdrawal of several models from the EU market.
Due to the lower demand for right-hand drive models, most vehicles covered by the regulation will also be withdrawn from sale in countries like the UK, which currently does not recognize the regulation. However, Porsche has demonstrated that if it is feasible to continue producing these versions, they may still be sold. It is worth noting that this new regulation comes at a time when another regulation called General Safety Regulation 2 (GSR2) has recently come into force.
GSR2 focuses on vehicle safety and makes certain technologies, such as advanced emergency braking and intelligent speed assistance, standard on all new models. These technologies are crucial for the EU’s goal of achieving zero road deaths by 2050. As a result, we can expect an increase in the number of autonomous vehicles and those reliant on satellite navigation. The UNECE WP.29 Cybersecurity regulation aims to ensure that these vehicles cannot be overridden or hacked by third parties.
The reality is that cars are becoming popular targets for hackers, much like mobile phones and computers. Vehicle theft through electronic means is already a well-documented problem, and the installation of malware in a vehicle’s operating system for ransom is a growing issue. Additionally, the use of over-the-air updates by manufacturers presents its own set of problems.
To enable advanced safety systems, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and automatic payments, cars need robust data and cyber protection throughout their design and production stages. This level of protection is lacking in models like the 718 and Macan. However, Porsche insists that these models are secure. They regularly check the cybersecurity of their products and collaborate with the global security community to ensure their vehicles’ safety.
The Department for Transport has stated that British manufacturers are already working towards compliance with the UNECE WP.29 Cybersecurity regulation. However, it remains unclear when this work will be completed. In the meantime, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reassures consumers that they need not worry about non-compliant models flooding the UK market. The cybersecurity requirements will apply to all vehicles sold in the EU and Northern Ireland, and manufacturers are unlikely to produce different versions solely for Great Britain.
In conclusion, Porsche’s decision to continue selling certain models in the UK while withdrawing them from the EU raises questions about the vulnerabilities of these cars to theft or hacking. The UNECE WP.29 Cybersecurity regulation aims to enhance vehicle cybersecurity, but retrofitting existing models to comply with the regulation is challenging and costly. The increasing popularity of autonomous vehicles and reliance on satellite navigation necessitates robust cybersecurity measures. While Porsche insists that their models are secure, it is essential for manufacturers to prioritize data and cyber protection throughout a car’s design and production process. The Department for Transport is working towards adopting the regulation for new vehicles in the UK, but there is no timeline for completion. However, the SMMT assures consumers that non-compliant models are unlikely to flood the UK market.