2024 Webinars
Further webinars to be announced.
Changes in electricity ‘non-commodity’ charges and how they could impact your organisation
Thursday 2 May, 10:00 – 11:00
During this webinar, Envantage will provide insights into the current landscape of electricity non-commodity charges, finishing with an outlook and guidance on what your organisation can do to manage these costs.
Market Outlook Webinar May 2024
Tuesday 7 May, 10:00 – 11:00
SMMT’s Chief Economist will present the latest Q2 new car and van registrations outlook for 2024 and 2025, including views by powertrain. With zero-emission vehicle targets to be met this year, a general election on the horizon, and a modestly improving economic backdrop the latest outlook will provide members with a timely update. SMMT will also present the latest Q1 Automotive Insights member survey results.
There is also an opportunity for any questions on factors influencing the markets ahead.
For slides and recordings of SMMT’s previous webinars, please see below.
For member-only webinars, the recording links are shown in the presentation slides.
Listen to previous webinars
Automotive Industry Priorities 2024
Wednesday 24 January 10:00 - 11:00
SMMT's Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, will discuss industry's priorities for 2024 and outline the SMMT business plan and priorities in responding to some of the key issues we expect in the forthcoming year.
Hosted by: Mike Hawes, Chief Executive, SMMT Yung Tran, Director of Member Services and Business Development, SMMT
Topics will include:
• Political and economic landscape
• Trade and investment
• Industry and environmental challenges
• Technology and the changing shape of industry
• Business development opportunities
SMMT Automotive Industry Priorities 2023 webinar
18 January
SMMT Automotive Industry Priorities 2022 webinar
1 February
SMMT Automotive Industry Priorities 2021 webinar
28 January 14:00 – 15:00
Automotive Industry Priorities 2019
The implications of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
20 July 14:00-15:00
From 1 October 2023, the EU will implement a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on imports of products in certain emission-intensive product categories including, steel, iron and aluminium. While initially only reporting obligations will apply, collecting the necessary data and calculating embedded emissions is a complex and time consuming process. Furthermore from 2026, a levy will be imposed on imports based on the carbon-content of certain imported goods.
While the regulation applies to EU-based importers, there will be significant impacts for the UK Automotive industry. The potential for increases in the costs of input materials, time and cost of compliance for gods entering the EU is compounded by the complexity of the automotive supply chains.
Please join us for a webinar covering the implications of CBAM for on the UK automotive industry, where SMMT will be joined by George Riddell, Director of Trade Policy & Strategy at EY, who will be sharing insight on the following topics:
• Overview of the EU CBAM and how they could impact the automotive industry
• Key deadlines for implementation
• International responses to CBAM, including the UK’s consultation to implement a CBAM
• The actions businesses should be taking now to prepare for CBAM SMMT will also provide a summary of our response to the government consultation.
Slides and Recording
Password: hmCk.2D9
Migrating to the new Customs Declaration Service (CDS)
6 September 10:00-11:00
SMMT will host a webinar alongside HMRC colleagues and Shaun Hall from RBC Customs – SMMT’s customs consultant – to share experiences, guidance and best practice on the use of CDS.
With the final day a business can declare goods using the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) platform looming (September 30th), SMMT’s webinar is designed to provide businesses with a final opportunity to consider preparations for the data migration and ask questions to experts from government and SMMT’s customs consultant.
Further to the webinar, the following government resources are available:
- The Trader checklist and Declarant checklist set out all the steps you need to complete to move to the Customs Declaration Service. The checklists have recently been updated, please follow this link to access them
- CDS waiver 999L is a helpful solution for businesses moving from CHIEF to CDS. It is specifically designed to increase the number of successful declarations and make it simpler to submit GB-ROW import/export declarations. For the latest information please read the attached document and follow this link
- A FAQ document can be used to assist with questions relating to the closure of CHIEF and the process of moving to the Customs Declaration Service
- A new series of ‘How to’ videos has been added to YouTube:
- How to subscribe to the Customs Declaration Service
- How to use your customs financial accounts on the Customs Declaration Service
- How to set up a standing authority on the Customs Declaration Service
- How to set up a Direct Debit instruction on the Customs Declaration Service (one signature)
- How to set up a Direct Debit instruction on the Customer Declaration Service (multiple signatures)
- How to use the secure file upload service on the Customs Declaration Service
HMRC Rules of Origin webinar
9 September 14:00 – 15:00
The webinar will provide an explainer for the Goods Vehicle Movement Service process, including roles & responsibilities and process maps for imports & exports using GVMS. The webinar will also cover how to submit full, deferred and supplementary declarations, along with C88 & staged customs controls, tariffs and how to prove rules of origin.
BCP 2: A guide to R&D tax credits
20 July 10:00 – 11:00
The UK’s diverse automotive industry is central to our economy and the Government is committed to providing incentives for projects that improve the technology used in the production of vehicles and promote a cleaner future for the UK. In this webinar, we will explore the approved tax incentives that encourage companies in all sectors to invest in R&D activities. This funding is available retrospectively for any projects that fulfil a simple set of criteria and can be claimed by all UK companies that invest in problem solving and technological developments. Our experts from Grant Thornton will deliver a presentation on the subject of R&D tax incentives then take questions from attendees.
Business Preparedness Programme: Understanding Customs Authorisations with HMRC
6 July 10:00 – 11:00
As a result of the UKs exit from the EU there are new processes and procedures to move goods between the two territories. We will be joined by HMRC in this webinar to cover the common customs authorisations that businesses are applying for, what the benefits and uses of each of these are and the common errors HMRC see businesses make when applying for these authorisations. HMRC may also use the opportunity to highlight to businesses the changes that will be coming with the implementation of full customs controls on 01 January 2022. There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions during the webinar.
BCP1: Automotive insight and supply chain issues
22 June 10:00 – 11:00
The Business Competitiveness Programme (BCP) is a new webinar series focussing on businesses support and improving competitiveness in the marketplace. SMMT will be joined by Andrew Bergbaum of AlixPartners who will be sharing insight from their new Automotive Report and discussing issues affecting the UK supply chain, including semiconductors. As always, there will be a chance to ask questions in advance and following the presentation.
Business Preparedness Programme: People - Customs
27 April 10:00 – 11:00
Since our last customs webinar, UK government have made a number of customs-related announcements. This webinar will cover these announcements and what it means for your business. There will be an opportunity for you to ask questions.
Business Preparedness Programme: People - Immigration and Mobility
30 March 14:00 – 15:00
For this webinar SMMT will be joined by the Home Office who will provide attendees with an overview of the UK Points Based Immigration System and what companies are required to do if they are looking to recruit from outside of the UK. In addition, we hope to cover the mobility provisions agreed as part of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and how these impact the movement of people between the UK and EU. There will be an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the presentation.
Business Preparedness Programme: Customs
16 March 10:00 – 11:00
In our latest webinar, SMMT will be joined by customs expert Howard Levene. We will look in detail at customs facilitations such as customs warehousing, transit and returned goods relief which may mitigate some of the impacts being experienced since the UK left the transition period with the EU. The webinar will last one hour and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.
Business Preparedness Programme – Customs
16 February 10:00 – 11:00
In our fourth webinar of the year SMMT will be joined by customs experts from Squire Patton Boggs. We will look in detail at customs facilitations such as customs warehousing, transit and returned goods relief which may mitigate some of the impacts being experienced since the UK left the transition period with the EU. The webinar will last one hour and there will be the opportunity to ask questions.
Business Preparedness Programme – Rules of Origin
2 February 10:00 – 11:00
Grant Thornton will be discussing how Rules of Origin in the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement will impact the Automotive industry and how they are applied. There will be a mix of practical examples, sources of information and thoughts on the interaction with the Government’s Net Zero emissions targets.
Business Preparedness Programme – Customs
19 January 10:00 – 11:00
Since the UK left the transition period with the European Union on the 31 December there has been a fundamental change in how goods are moved between Great Britain and the European Union. In our second webinar of the year, SMMT will be joined by trade and customs experts from PWC to look in detail at the new customs and border requirements to move goods between both Great Britain and the European Union and Great Britain and Northern Ireland. There will be an opportunity to ask your questions at the end of the presentation.
Business Preparedness Programme – Customs and Tariffs
10 December 14:00 – 16:30
Business Preparedness Programme – Customs and Tariffs
3 December 10:00 – 11:00
Business Preparedness Programme – Rules of origin
3 November 15:00 – 16:00
To support members preparedness for the end of the transition period, SMMT will be joined by one of its consultancy partners to cover tariffs and rules of origin. During this webinar we will walk you through the UK’s Global Tariff schedule which will come into effect from 01 January 2021 and how it differs from the EU’s Common External Tariff, what proving origin is and the types of documentation companies will need to complete for moving goods between the UK and EU. SMMT will also provide the latest insights into the UK-EU negotiations.
Webinar: Hungary – electrification opportunities
Virtual: Tuesday 22 March 2022, 14:00 (GMT)
As part of SMMT Electrified International, SMMT is hosting a webinar with Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency on the opportunities for UK automotive.
Germany – electrification opportunities
Virtual: 17 March 2022, 14:00 (GMT)
As part of SMMT Electrified International, SMMT is hosting a webinar with Germany Trade & Invest on the opportunities for UK automotive.
New Trends & Opportunities in the Türkiye Mobility Ecosystem
Virtual: 16 March 2022, 10:00 (GMT)
As part of SMMT Electrified International, SMMT is hosting a webinar with the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye.
Be Electrified in Illinois
10 March 2022, 15:00 (GMT)
As part of SMMT Electrified International, SMMT is hosting a webinar with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Hungary & Poland – opportunities and activities in 2022
1 March 2022
SMMT, Department for International Trade and Santander UK are hosting a session on what the trends and opportunities are when it comes to automotive technology in Hungary and Poland, particularly in electrification and hydrogen.
Automotive in South East Asia: Indonesia & Thailand
14 October
This SMMT webinar looked at Thailand and Indonesia – the two largest vehicle producers and markets in the region. We were joined by speakers from the Thai Board of Investment and Department for International Trade, Indonesia.
SMMT Market Outlook 2024
5 February
SMMT Market Outlook 2023
7 August
Production Outlook March 2022
2 March
Production Outlook 2021
24 March 10:30 – 11:30
Ian Henry of AutoAnalysis will present his latest outlook for UK and European car and light vehicle production through to 2026. The outlook is the first since the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was reached in December. It will consider prospects given both business and political announcements to date, including the on-going impacts of Covid and supply disruptions from semiconductor chip shortages. SMMT will introduce the webinar with a scene setting economic and market outlook. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions and challenge Ian/SMMT’s views – any questions in advance would be most welcome.
Production Outlook 2021
25 November
Ian Henry of AutoAnalysis will present his latest outlook for UK and European car and light vehicle production through to 2026. The outlook will consider the industry’s prospects given both business and political announcements to date, being almost a year on from leaving the EU, the on-going impacts of Covid and supply disruptions (notably from semiconductor chips) and the transition to net zero.
SMMT will introduce the webinar with a scene setting economic and market outlook. There will be opportunity to ask questions and challenge Ian/SMMT’s views – any questions in advance would be most welcome.
Meet the Buyer October 2021 insights and advice webinar
21 October
The UK will host COP26 in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November 2021. The climate talks will bring together heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. The UK government has positioned itself as world leader in the fight against climate change and has committed to net zero by 2050. A key lever to achieving this is the decarbonisation of road transport and have already set dates for when the sale of conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans should end.
This webinar will provide information about the conference from the government and COP Partner, The Climate Group and discuss the role of UK Automotive in achieving climate change targets.
Meet the Buyer October 2021 insights and advice webinar
8 September 10:00 – 10:30
SMMT will be running a short webinar to explain how to take part in Meet the Buyer October 2021 as a supplier.
The team will introduce the event, explain who is involved and let you know what to expect on the day.
You will also find out how to complete the three event registration process steps:
- How to complete the Expression of Interest (EOI)
- How to complete the event registration
- How to attach yourself to right commodities
For more information, visit the Meet the Buyer page.
Global Supply Chains: The Red Sea Situation
14 February
As widely reported in the international press, Houthi Rebels are currently conducting attacks on commercial vessels in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This narrow water passage, situated off the coast of Yemen, serves as the entry/exit point to the Red Sea and along with the Suez Canal plays a critical role in global trade, handling approximately 30% of all worldwide container traffic and facilitating the transport of over $1 trillion worth of goods annually.
SMMT and Kuehne+Nagel explored the latest on this situation, its impacts, and the expected consequences for global supply chains.
Recording Passcode: 3?G.Im&^
The Aerospace and Automotive STEM Returners Project
6 February 2024
The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) and ADS Group have joined forces with the charity Enginuity and return-to-work specialists STEM Returners to launch a new employment programme that will help professionals on a career break return to work.
The sector-wide programme will be launched in two phases. The first will include insight sessions for employers to learn about the programme and how they will benefit. The second phase will establish the 12-week programmes within host organisations, facilitated by STEM Returners, and will provide professionals with real work experience and mentoring during their placement, as well as supporting them to seamlessly adjust to life back in work.
Recording Passcode: *@q238.N
Envantage Energy and Carbon Consultancy - A strategic approach to energy procurement
31 January 2024
Building upon the insights shared in our previous 'Introduction to Envantage' webinar held in December, we now delve deeper into strategic energy procurement for businesses. Whether you operate a small business within a supply chain or are a large, energy-intensive industrial consumer, navigating key principles and managing risks is crucial. Join us for this informative 60-minute session where Daniel Evans (Senior Account Manager) and Richard King (Trading & Risk Manager) will share their thoughts and expertise and an interactive Q&A session will be held.
Recording Passcode: nMK4^tia
SMMT’s EURO 7 Proposal Overview
12 December
The European Commission published its proposal for the Euro 7 emission package for light and heavy duty vehicles on 10th November. The broad and ambitious proposal introduces more stringent emission control procedures, as well as the control of new pollutants, including non-exhaust emissions. While not automatically compelled to adopt the Euro 7 package for GB, the UK government will obviously be considering its options and therefore the proposals will impact across SMMT membership. SMMT are hosting a member webinar to highlight the key aspects of the proposals and explain the next steps of SMMT engagement on this topic, both at an EU and UK level.
SMMT’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Toolkit Launch
10 October
Please join us for the launch of SMMT’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) toolkit on Monday 10 October at 11am, where you will hear from:
- Mike Hawes, Chief Executive, SMMT
- Carmen Morris, Founder and Managing Director, Kenroi Consulting
- Lyndsey Maloney, HR BD, DHL Supply Chain
- Alex Knapp, Responsible Business Manager, Shakespeare Martineau
Across the automotive industry, businesses are putting in place processes to make their workforces and, therefore, the sector more diverse, and are taking action to foster a more inclusive environment. This includes looking at how recruitment is undertaken, ensuring that all employees feel like they belong and can progress, and supporting inclusive best practice in all areas. Work has already begun to strengthen the resolve and commitment to be a truly inclusive industry.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is already championing equity through diversity and inclusion, which will help to increase traction, but there is still much more work to be done to fully harness inclusion, in all areas of diversity. This Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Toolkit has been created to identify best practices for promoting DE&I within automotive companies. It provides guidelines for demonstrating an inclusive culture and supports actions to help develop a truly inclusive industry agenda, as well as providing helpful tips and advice.
Password: 3a^Vl$#w
Additive Manufacturing - A roundtable discussion
10 March
Join our virtual panel on the 10th March for a lively discussion and insights from James Hawkins, Director, Printing Portal, Michael Whitens, Consultant to the Automotive Industry and Aaron Delong, HP 3D WW Automotive lead and hosted by David Wong, Senior Technology and Innovation Manager from SMMT.
Topic areas that will be discussed include:
• What is the "new normal" going to look like and how is that going to affect working teams?
• What does the digital workflow look like and what are the tools that are required?
• What are the future trends that the panel see in the next 3-5 years?
