Our International Automotive Sector Group advises vehicle manufacturers, distributors and dealers as well as suppliers of production parts and investment goods, logistics businesses and investors. Our involvement is broad-based, spanning the entire lifecycle of a motor vehicle, from initial design to serial production, sale, distribution and, ultimately, disposal.
The number of vehicles on our roads testify to the automotive industry’s strength, diversity and resilience. Yet for all its many achievements in terms of innovation, design, efficiency, safety, economy and capacity, it faces an ongoing challenge to keep pace with new regulations and new technology, intense pressure on margins and costs, increasing consumer expectations and demands for contributing to the protection of the environment. As a law firm focused on modern technologies, we are particularly well placed to assist as technology is the key to the competing demands of increased road safety, higher performance levels, environmental drivers, comfort, infotainment and value for money.
We provide a full range of corporate, commercial, IP, regulatory and competition advice from our offices across Europe and Asia, drawing on market-leading expertise in procurement, outsourcing, anti-trust, technology, intellectual property and IT.
For example, we help protect and exploit new designs and technology, as well as draft and negotiate commercial contracts such as supply agreements for parts and prototypes, logistics and distribution agreements.
We deal with product warranties, product safety and liability and advise on all forms of recalls and field actions.
Our work also includes advising on environmental issues such as sustainability or green procurement, overcoming import and export issues involving customs and EU and competition law.
In view of the current global economic crisis, we are very aware of its effects on the automotive industry and are able to advise on strategies to avoid insolvency (including restructuring - either that of your own company or of contractual partners) and assist if suppliers are actually insolvent or are involved in the purchase or sale of insolvent targets.
Head of Group: Christian Kessel