Next week’s SMMT International Automotive Summit returns to London and at a pivotal moment for the UK commercial vehicle and transport sectors – amid significant global challenges and opportunities to deliver decarbonisation, digitalisation and supply chain resilience.
As the UK automotive industry’s flagship event, there is a clear thread running through the agenda – the role of vehicle manufacturers, logistics giants, suppliers, government and fleet innovators to work together to forward decarbonisation and economic growth.
Indeed, with a compelling line-up of senior automotive executives, government and political stakeholders – including a keynote speech from the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade – as well as senior representatives from aligned sectors, the event is particularly timely to bring industry together to discuss the current global landscape.
Stimulating the CV sector’s ZEV transition
Among the anticipated discussions of the day is the ‘Market Update’ panel, focussing on strategies to accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles across both consumer and commercial sectors. For HGV operators and fleet owners, this is a critical moment: while the technology for electric and hydrogen trucks is emerging, cost, infrastructure, and payload requirements remain major challenges.
The panel brings together key stakeholders who are deeply involved in the transition:
- Hannah Mayo, Director of New Vehicle Sales at Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland, will provide insight into how one of the most forward-looking commercial vehicle manufacturers is bringing ZEVs to market—balancing innovation with real-world fleet needs.
- Matthew Croucher, Chief Economist at SMMT, will share fresh data on trends in commercial vehicle sales and what’s driving (or slowing) ZEV adoption.
- Damien O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Volkswagen Group UK, and Ian Plummer, Commercial Director at Auto Trader, will add broader market perspectives.
- Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, will reflect on how consumer-facing policies and incentives may cross over or differ for commercial users.
The conversation is expected to centre on buyer behaviour, supply chain constraints, infrastructure deployment – especially for depots and longer-haul logistics – and what it really takes to scale adoption beyond pilot projects.
Technology and logistics: The CV Sector’s digital edge
Another panel will focus on AI and the advancements in tech and how it affects the logistics industry. Titled ‘Developments in Technology and the Customer Journey’, the panel will focus on the technology that is relevant for commercial operations, especially when it comes to integrating IoT, AI, and telematics into fleet management and service delivery.
James Tooze, Vice President of Operations at DHL Supply Chain, brings a logistics and delivery-centric view of how advanced technologies are transforming fleet operations. DHL is at the forefront of using digital tools for route optimisation, vehicle diagnostics, sustainability tracking, and even warehouse automation – all of which are increasingly interwoven with vehicle design and performance.
Victor Zhang, UK Country Director at OMODA & JAECOO, and Karoline Baumann of Cox Automotive add perspectives from OEM and data integration sides, showing how commercial customers are demanding smarter, more connected experiences – whether in asset management, maintenance, or resale.
Spotlight on suppliers: Michelin’s circular and sustainable shift
When it comes to lifecycle sustainability, suppliers play a critical role—and none more so than tyre manufacturers, whose products are both essential to road performance and highly visible in environmental discussions.
The ‘Sustainability Beyond the Tailpipe’ panel includes David Johnson, Head of Public Affairs at Michelin, who will offer an inside view on how one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers is evolving its strategy around Scope 2 and 3 emissions, sustainable materials, and circular business models.
For commercial operators, tyre efficiency, lifespan, and recyclability are directly tied to cost and emissions performance. Johnson will describe how Michelin and other suppliers are rethinking sourcing, production, and end-of-life recovery to meet fleet and regulatory demands.
Industrial strategy for a commercially strong UK
The panel ‘UK Automotive Manufacturing – A Modern Industrial Strategy’ will dive into what a competitive UK CV manufacturing base could look like in 2035 and beyond.
Phil Jones, Managing Director at Leyland Trucks, will share his perspective on the opportunities and risks facing domestic truck manufacturing. With investment needed in plant upgrades, workforce training, and supply chain alignment, this session will be crucial for anyone watching the UK’s position in the global commercial vehicle landscape.
He’ll be joined by Steve Turner from Unite and leaders from Stellantis, Catapult, and the Department for Business and Trade. This is where policy meets factory floor, looking at how to attract and sustain investment in future-ready vehicle production, including electric and hydrogen HGVs.
A macroeconomic and global view
In addition to the sector-specific sessions, the summit features broader insights that will influence commercial vehicle decision-making.
Chris Giles, Economics Editor of the Financial Times, will present a concise overview of the macroeconomic environment which is crucial for CV manufacturers and operators weighing capital investments against inflation, energy prices, and global supply chain volatility.
A geopolitics panel featuring representatives from the China-Britain Business Council, UK in a Changing Europe, and the Department for Business and Trade will dissect global trade risks, tariffs, and import and export complexities – key considerations for CV manufacturers sourcing components or shipping their chassis and finished vehicles overseas.
2025 – not a year to miss out
The International Automotive Summit is always an important annual event but with global trade and international relations at the top of the news agenda this year, few editions have been more timely. With a final few tickets still remaining, you can book yours here.
