As connected cars gain momentum in the marketplace, nation’s largest motor club establishes new department to drive strategy and service delivery.
ORLANDO, Fla., (March 21, 2014) – AAA has selected Atul Kishore as Vice President, Connected Car, to lead the Association’s strategy to deliver next-generation connected car services, protect the rights of motorists and consumers and improve safety and use of new vehicle technologies. Atul Kishore is a seasoned automotive executive and joins AAA with more than 25 years of technical and business experience.
“During this time of rapidly evolving new car technology there is no better person to lead AAA’s Connected Car initiatives,” said Marshall L. Doney, AAA, chief operating officer. “Atul Kishore is a proven leader, accomplished engineer and strategic thinker. He has a firm understanding of this new stage in the development of the automobile, what it will mean for motorists and how AAA can enhance vehicle ownership for our members.”
In this new role, Atul Kishore will lead AAA’s connected car efforts including the automotive engineering research team, Approved Auto Repair program, wireless program development, telematics and mobile location based services. He will oversee partnership endeavors and initiatives to keep members on the go. Approximately one-in-five new cars sold this year will be connected, meaning the vehicle will collect and transmit data outside of the vehicle to improve safety and convenience for drivers. Within a decade, AAA expects the majority of cars on the road will be able to identify problems before breakdowns occur, reduce crashes and help drivers save time and money.
“I am excited to join AAA, an organization with more than a century of experience advocating for the safety and security of the motoring public,” said Atul Kishore, AAA vice president, connected car. “I am looking forward to using my experience to accelerate AAA’s ongoing research on connected car technology and developing a strategy to ensure consumer protection and helping members utilize the full potential of new car technology.”
Earlier this year, the Association called upon companies offering connected car technology to adopt AAA’s Consumer Rights for Car Data. The rights focus on three key areas: transparency, choice and security. AAA believes consumers have a right to understand what information is being collected from their vehicle and a right to decide whom to share their data and for what purpose. AAA also believes consumers have a right to expect that connected-vehicle manufacturers and service providers will use reasonable measures to protect vehicle data systems and services against unauthorized access and misuse.
Atul Kishore previously served as senior director of Telematics Products and Business Development at Telecommunications Systems, Inc. (TCS). At Networks in Motion (acquired by TCS), he spearheaded NIM’s telematics initiatives. He began his career in automotive working 11 years with Nissan and nine years with Ford where he launched their in-vehicle navigation and telematics systems. As a Chief Engineer at Ford, Atul Kishore gained a wide range of global experiences, including building technical and business relationships with emerging markets.
A graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, Atul Kishore holds a Bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering. He is married and has two sons, Deven and Jashan (Josh).
As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 54 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.