Why is German WiFi important to UK auto retailers?

AM's regular columnist Professor Jim Saker, president of the Institute of the Motor Industry, notes that external factors are increasingly forcing a change of thinking in a traditionally insular motor industry.

Occasionally a news item will arrive that on the surface looks of little interest. It is only later when you reflect on what it said that you suddenly realise that this may have implications for our sector.

In July the German government announced that it was fading out any component parts from China in it's 5G wireless network rollout. They are banning parts primarily from Huawei and ZTE. The decision they argue is based on national security concerns including sabotage and espionage.

German officials said that their telecom network must be protected from cyber-attacks calling it an existential threat and are ensuring that only parts supplied within Germany and the EU are used within their infrastructure.

The obvious question is why does this matter to us as an industry?