The automotive event of 2012 – Tuesday 12 June

Now in its fourth year, the SMMT International Automotive Summit will attract up to 250 delegates from the breadth of the automotive industry – vehicle manufacturers represented at the Summit in 2011 included Bentley, BMW, Ford, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Peugeot-Citroën, Renault, Suzuki, Tata Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen.

TICKETS NOW SOLD OUT – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON THE RESERVE LIST

The day will attract many senior delegates. Attendees at the Summit in 2011 included eight European or national CEOs / MDs of car companies as well as a number of directors of marketing, corporate and public affairs, engineering, assembly, sales, planning and operations.

Confirmed speakers for 2012 include:

• Ian Robertson, BMW Board Member, Global Sales and Marketing
• Peter Tyroller, Member, Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH
• Christine Gaskell MBE, Member of Board, Personnel, Bentley Motors
• Charles Peugeot, Sales Director, Citroën UK
• Barb Samardzich, Vice President Product Development, Ford of Europe
  
• Ian Harnett, Director of Purchasing, Jaguar Land Rover
• Dave Cameron, Vice President Purchasing, Nissan International SA
• Jerry Hardcastle, Vice President Vehicle Design and Development, Nissan Technical Centre Europe
• Thierry Koskas, Global Head of Electric Vehicles, Renault
• Mark Adams, Vice President Purchasing, Toyota Europe
• Professor Wolfgang Steiger, Director of Future Technologies, VW Group

The event will be chaired by the broadcaster Justin Webb. Other organisations speaking will include EDF Energy, GForces Web Management, Google, LinkedIn, KPMG and RBS.

The day will begin and end with keynote addresses from global board members of major automotive companies and a senior political figure. The conference will break into three streams:

• Stream One: The Changing Face of Vehicle Retail
• Stream Two: Innovation in Ultra-Low Carbon Technology
• Stream Three: Growth in the Supply Chain

How to book your place – TICKETS NOW SOLD OUT

For further information, download the event brochure as a PDF, or visit the event information tab for more details.

For information on tickets and for details of sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, please contact us on 0808 178 8818 or e-mail summit@smmt.co.uk.

Many thanks to our event supporters:

Stream One: The Changing Face of Vehicle Retail

This stream is supported by GForces Web Management

Against a background of ever-increasing levels of customer service and weak retail demand, the franchised dealer network faces increasing challenges from digital channels.

In this stream, panellists will explore the changing nature of the consumer and the retail channel, whilst looking at the emerging market for ultra-low carbon vehicles.

Session 02: The Digital Consumer

Mobile, informed and demanding instant gratification, Digital Consumers are difficult creatures to capture. Or are they? A panel of digital experts including Google and LinkedIn, will share insights into how these consumers behave and explore their relationships with brands.

Confirmed speakers for this session include:

• Hugh Dickerson, Senior Industry Head, Automotive, Google
• Laurie Kirschner, Head of Automotive, LinkedIn
• Tim Smith, Commercial Director, GForces Web Management
• Session Chair: Justin Webb

Session 03: The Urban Consumer in a Low Carbon World

Promising exciting growth, the ultra-low carbon vehicle market is still in its early stages. What will it take to persuade the urban consumer to embrace green technology and what vehicles will they actually buy?

Confirmed speakers for this session include:

• Bethan Carver, Manager of B2C Product Development, EDF Energy
• Thierry Koskas, Global Head of Electric Vehicles, Renault
• Dr Ben Lane, Director, Ecolane
• Session Chair: Chas Hallett, Editor in Chief, What Car?

Session 04: Enhancing Customer Experience in the Dealership

This session will unveil the results of unique SMMT and RMI commissioned research into the UK automotive retail environment, identifying gaps between consumer perception and dealer delivery.

Confirmed speakers for this session include:

• Robert Forrester, CEO, Vertu Motors

Session 05: Challenges of Future Retailing

Vehicle dealerships face challenges from online retailing and the independent trade. Yet, even the most successful online vehicle retailers wouldn’t dismiss the physical showroom. A panel representing different retail models will discuss the way forward for the franchised dealer network.

Confirmed speakers for this session include:

• Joe Doyle, CEO, HR Owen plc
• Kalman Gyimesi, Global Lead for Automotive Research Papers, IBM Institute for Business Value
• Charles Peugeot, Sales Director, Citroën UK
• Session Chair: Martin Leach, Chairman of Magma

Supported by:

GForces Web Management on the digital consumer

Through technology and marketing innovation, we deliver the most effective digital strategies for Manufacturers and more market leading dealer groups than any other rival. While focusing on making the internet profitable for our clients, our corporate mission is to support, educate and influence our client’s way of thinking in building a better digital dealership. We have the experience, talent and technological expertise to turn a website into a key sales and lead generating tool.

It’s easy to forget that, 30 years ago, websites, social media networks, mobile phones and tablet devices didn’t exist. Today, digital helps drive almost every business sector, but the automotive industry is still not as in-tune with the digital consumer as for example FMCG and Finance.

How consumers browse and buy cars has evolved. The rise of the internet and social media has driven 94% of car buyers to start their research online. In 2009, Google recorded that only 19% of test drives were booked online compared to 30% today. In another four years, this figure is expected to rise to 80%.

Social media presents an interesting contrast; while consumers value the honest, real-time reviews, brands fear loss of control.

CapGemini’s Cars Online 11/12 study showed that 51% of customers would be less likely to purchase if they found negative comments on a social networking site. To stay successful, therefore, retailers and manufacturers need to embrace the demands of the modern-day consumer and get engaged in the world of the social media.

TICKETS NOW SOLD OUT – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON THE RESERVE LIST

Contact us on 0808 178 8818 or e-mail summit@smmt.co.uk.

Stream Two: Innovation in Ultra-Low Carbon Technology

This stream is supported by EDF Energy

The emergence of the ultra-low carbon vehicle market provides a unique opportunity for the UK to create a world-beating centre of excellence.

In this stream, sessions will explore the key technologies vehicle manufacturers are adopting, the opportunities created by the shift to low carbon transportation and how the UK can play a global role in technology innovation.

Sessions 02 and 03: Creating the Vision

Having identified five technologies that could secure long-term growth for UK automotive,the Automotive Council’s Technology Group will consider how the UK can beat global competition to maintain its position at the cutting edge of innovation.

From Vision to Value - Collaboration in UK Automotive

The unique level of collaboration between industry, government and academia puts the UKin a prime position to take a global lead in low carbon innovation. A panel comprising of the three sectors will look at how the UK can turn strong relationships into economic strength.

Confirmed speakers for this session include:

• Catherine Coates, Director Business Innovation, EPSRC
• Andrew Everett, Head of Transport, TSB

Investing in Innovation – Global competition for R&D investment

Turning ideas into reality requires major investment. How does the UK stack up with its international competitors and what more should be done to secure our share of the global R&D spend?

Confirmed speakers for this session include:

• Tony Harper, Head Of Research & Advanced System Engineering, Jaguar Land Rover
• John Leech, Head of Automotive, KPMG LLP
• Toby Peters, CEO, Dearman Engine Company Dearman Engine Company

Sessions 04 and 05: Delivering the Vision – Taking Technologies to Market

A wide range of technologies will contribute to the continued slashing of CO₂ emissions. Which manufacturers are investing in what technology and why? More importantly, how will they persuade consumers to adopt their new products?

Confirmed speakers for this session include:

• Thierry Koskas, Global Head of Electric Vehicles, Renault
• Barb Samardzich, Vice President Product Development, Ford of Europe
• Professor Wolfgang Steiger, Director of Future Technologies, VW Group
• Henry Winand, CEO, Intelligent Energy

Supported by:

EDF Energy is delighted to be returning as sponsor and speaker at the 2012 SMMT International Summit.

As part of our Sustainability Commitments initiative, we’ve launched one of the biggest environmental and social programmes of any British energy company which includes a £400 million investment in energy efficiency measures for our customers over a four year period, as well as launching low carbon products including microgeneration, home energy monitoring and electric vehicle recharging. Consumer reaction to these initiatives has changed rapidly over recent years with responsive attitudes becoming more common.

As Britain’s largest producer of low-carbon electricity and with considerable electrical and engineering experience within our workforce, we’re playing a leading role in facilitating the development of plug-in vehicle recharging technology and infrastructure. We’re achieving this by working and consulting widely with motor manufacturers, charge point manufacturers and central and local government offices to help bring about effective recharging solutions.

For details of our electric vehicle and plug-in vehicle recharging products, please email electricvehicles@edfenergy.com.

TICKETS NOW SOLD OUT – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON THE RESERVE LIST

Contact us on 0808 178 8818 or e-mail summit@smmt.co.uk.

Stream Three: Growth in the Supply Chain

This stream is supported by KPMG LLP

Automotive manufacturing is crucial to the UK economy: every job in vehicle assembly supports more than seven in other roles. The success of the UK’s automotive supply chain, which currently generates £4.5bn added value each year, is dependent on its competitiveness.

Sessions in this stream will give insights into vehicle manufacturers’ future purchasing strategies, as well as investigating potential sources of finance to support the re-tooling and up-skilling of the UK’s supply chain.

Sessions 02 and 03: Opportunities for Supply Chain Growth

80% of all components required for vehicle assembly operations can be procured in the UK. With OEMs increasingly expressing a desire to procure locally, what are the opportunities for growth and can UK suppliers attract more business? A panel of OEM procurement directors will outline their procurement strategies for the next five years giving an insight into how suppliers can adapt now to win future business.

Confirmed speakers for this session include:

• Mark Adams, Vice President Purchasing, Toyota Europe
• Charlotte Barker, Head of Operations & Stephen Roser, Sales and Purchasing Senior Director, Aisin Europe Manufacturing
• Dave Cameron, Vice President Purchasing, Nissan International
• Ian Harnett, Director of Purchasing, Jaguar Land Rover
• Session Chair: Dr Chris Owen, CEO, SMMT Industry Forum

Session 04: Bridging the Skills Gap

Attracting the brightest and best talent is vital to the long-term success of the industry but how can manufacturing compete with glamour industries to recruit future engineering stars and how will changing vehicle design impact skills requirements? Our panel of some of the largest recruiters in automotive manufacturing will discuss the challenges and what needs to be done to foster Britain’s engineers of tomorrow.

Confirmed speakers for this session include:

• Julie Carroll, Human Resources Director, Unipart Manufacturing
• Christine Gaskell MBE, Member of Board, Personnel, Bentley Motors
• Nick Pascoe, CEO, Controlled Power Technologies
• Session Chair: Richard Parry-Jones, Automotive Council

Session 05: Finance for Growth

Components manufacturers are faced with a range of financial issues – from new ventures to expansion through capital investment. A panel representing key sources of finance will provide case studies to demonstrate how different sources can be used to achieve different objectives.

• Mark Bryant, Business Director, Business Growth Fund
• Richard Hill, Head of Automotive Sector, RBS Corporate Banking
• Session Chair: John Leech, Head of Automotive, KPMG LLP

Confirmed speakers for this session include:

TICKETS NOW SOLD OUT – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON THE RESERVE LIST

Contact us on 0808 178 8818 or e-mail summit@smmt.co.uk.

Booking details and further information

Venue and date

Tuesday 12 June 2012
Clifford Chance, 10 Upper Bank Street, London E14 5JJ

Getting there

Nearest tube: Canary Wharf

DLR: Canary Wharf or Heron Quays

Parking is available underneath Jubilee Gardens

Timings

Registration will open at 08:30. Refreshments will be served on arrival. Lunch will be provided and there will be a drinks reception immediately following the close of the Summit at 17:30.

For further information, download the event brochure as a PDF.

How to book your place – TICKETS NOW SOLD OUT

If you have already booked, a confirmation e-mail will have been sent to you to confirm receipt of your booking. Joining instructions will be sent to you a few weeks prior to the event by e-mail. We will keep you up-to-date with news on the event over the forthcoming weeks.

Tickets are now SOLD OUT – please contact us to register your interest on the reserve list.

Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please refer to the cancellation policy below.

Opportunities for sponsoring, exhibiting and branding

For further information on the Summit, including details of sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, please contact us on 0808 178 8818 or e-mail summit@smmt.co.uk.

Cancellation policy

If you cancel your booking more than 14 days following the date of written confirmation from the SMMT, a fee of £25 + VAT per place will be charged. For cancellations after 25 May 2012, the full booking value will be charged. The SMMT will accept a substitute if a ticket holder is unable to attend. All cancellations or substitutions must be received in writing and will be deemed to take effect from the date when received by the SMMT.

Many thanks to our event supporters: