Vehicle communications

A system for monitoring and/or controlling a vehicle comprising:

• a data transfer unit that receives data signals transmitted on a vehicle data bus relating to the status and/or operation of one or more vehicle systems or devices, the data transfer unit being operable to convert the data signals into data messages corresponding to the data signals;
• and
• a transceiver provided onboard the vehicle that wirelessly transmits the data messages relating to one or more of said received data signals to a mobile communications device arranged to allow access to the display of the data messages to a user, the transceiver being arranged to transmit the information relating to the one or more received data signals from the vehicle to the mobile communications device via a web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system,
• wherein the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system is arranged to receive control messages from the mobile communications device and to transmit said control message to the transceiver, and wherein the transceiver is arranged to receive control messages from the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system, the data transfer unit being arranged to convert the received control messages into data signals and transmit the same onto the data bus for controlling one or more vehicle systems, functions or devices, and
• wherein the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system is arranged to receive a status request control message from the mobile communications device and to transmit said status request to the transceiver and wherein the transceiver is arranged to receive a status request control message from the web server, web portal or other internet-connected host system, the data transfer unit being arranged to convert the received status request control message into data signals and transmit the same onto the data bus for determining the status of one or more vehicle systems, functions or devices.