Both home and overseas growth are critical for UK Automotive

The UK automotive sector’s potential to deliver regional and national growth hinges upon the ability to trade successfully – here in Britain and, as an export-led sector, in international markets where British-built products represent engineering excellence. SMMT has been working for many years to translate UK automotive expertise into new overseas opportunities, helping companies expand and diversify in new markets, secure potentially transformative new partnerships, and work with policymakers to overcome trade barriers.

These ambitions were evident this week as SMMT partnered with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) to lead a mission to the rapidly expanding automotive ecosystems of Georgia and South Carolina, securing a series of targeted meetings for UK businesses that are well positioned for US growth. It forms part of SMMT’s curated international programme, next week delivering a UK pavilion with our members at Detroit’s premier Automotive USA summit, before a delegation to Beijing to develop new partnerships in China’s burgeoning connected and automated vehicle sector, after which we will visit Bursa in Türkiye to explore its global supply chain and aftermarket.

Growth opportunities are not confined to export markets. SMMT is constantly delivering a wide range of business-to-business events in the UK, which next week extends to diversification in defence procurement as government seeks to strengthen supply chains, sovereign capability and resilience. Automotive suppliers are well placed to contribute: they combine advanced engineering and manufacturing expertise with rigorous quality standards, sub-supply management, and the ability to scale complex technologies. Our latest webinar with the Ministry of Defence, supported by ADS – the UK trade organisation for aerospace, defence, security and space – will help automotive businesses understand the defence landscape, its strategic importance, the requirements for sector readiness, and the government support available. Further details are available here.

While diversification can form new markets, it is no substitute for businesses having competitive conditions for automotive growth. Affordable energy, investment certainty and a highly capable skills base are all important to sustain long-term automotive manufacturing. These priorities, as an economically and strategically critical sector, merit backing from across the political spectrum, and we welcomed constructive discussion at this week’s Conservative Party conference, with an SMMT reception co-hosted by Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden MP that brought together senior industry leaders and parliamentarians, including the entire Conservative front bench transport team.

These conversations will continue at the SMMT Annual Dinner on 24 November, which will welcome around 1,000 guests from across industry, government and the media in central London. We were delighted this week to confirm Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, as a keynote speaker, alongside SMMT President Paul Philpott and Ian Hislop, Editor of Private Eye. With only limited availability remaining, secure your place here.