Trade mission 6-10 October 2025 Alabama and Tennessee, USA
SMMT is organising a supply chain trade mission to the USA. The visit to Alabama and Tennessee will include meetings and events to help delegates understand the market and meet key players and local contacts.
UK Delegation
SMMT is delighted that Advanced Electric Machines, Pro2, Project Blue and Wentworth Group (HR Blowers) are part of the UK delegation to visit Alabama and Tennessee in October 2025.
Click on the + next to each company to find out more and their contact details:
Advanced Electric Machines (AEM) – high-performance electric propulsion solutions
Advanced Electric Machines (AEM) is a pioneering company at the forefront of sustainable motor technology, dedicated to delivering high-performance electric propulsion solutions without the use of rare earth materials.
Our mission is to accelerate the transition to cleaner mobility by designing and manufacturing innovative electric motors that combine exceptional efficiency, reliability, and environmental responsibility.
Our product portfolio includes a range of advanced motor technologies tailored for automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications.
Pro2 – automotive consultancy supporting customer experiential events, vehicle engineering projects and bespoke engineer training
Pro2 is an automotive consultancy supporting customer experiential events, vehicle engineering projects and bespoke engineer training. We are a supplier to OEMs of engineering and customer experience support and we have extensive EV experience having supported a number of vehicle manufacturers.
Project Blue – Market Intelligence provider for the critical material supply chains
Market Intelligence provider for the critical material supply chains. Project Blue provides subscriptions and bespoke analysis of critical materials and their supply chains for the lithium ion battery and energy transition markets, helping clients make informed decisions whilst navigating these complex and critical supply chains.
Wentworth Group (HR Blowers) – Roots type positive displacement blower
HR Blowers UK Ltd are global leaders in Roots type positive displacement blower design, efficiency, technology and manufacture exporting to customers in every Continent including the USA. We supply blower units to various industries including transport, industrial, agricultural and water treatment applications. HR Blowers are part of the Wentworth Group which includes automotive, civil engineering, drone security, pharmaceutical and property businesses. The Group are keen to roll out fast EV charging points at many of their sites.
SMMT is organising a supply chain trade mission to the USA. The visit to Alabama and Tennessee will include meetings and events to help delegates understand the market and meet key players and local contacts.
Network with OEMs, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers and support organisations
Price starts from £595+VAT
Manufacturers including General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen have manufacturing operations in the two states, supported by a comprehensive supply chain across the Southeast.
This visit is suitable for UK companies with the capability to do business in the highly competitive US market. The activities are supported by the UK Department for Business and Trade and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
Whilst there are ongoing discussions on tariffs, the recently announced UK-US deal allows industry in the UK to approach the future positively. This visit offers an opportunity for companies to make contacts and develop understanding for doing business in the US at a time of transition and uncertainty.
If you are interested in joining the delegation, please fill out the expression of interest form.
Why join the UK delegation to the US?
The trade mission is for UK companies operating in the EV and wider supply chain, ideally with experience in the US but companies new to the market are welcome too.
Market research – understand more about the Southeastern region and the opportunities for your company
Networking – connect with US companies at the Southern Automotive Conference, and at networking events
Raise your profile – SMMT will promote your company on our platforms and will introduce you to relevant organisations
Value for money and access – cost is cheaper than visiting independently and you will visit manufacturing sites
Support – support from SMMT, Department for Business and Trade and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
About the US Southeast automotive industry
The Southeastern US has grown into a major hub for EV and EV battery manufacturing. Of the $205 billion investments announced in the US EV industry, 38% has been in the Southeast region, according to a 2024 report on Transportation Electrification in the Southeast. Read more below:
Southeastern region a major hub for EV and EV battery manufacturing
Over half of the committed investments in the Southeast are dedicated to battery and battery materials manufacturing facilities. A significant share is also for original construction and retooling of existing facilities to produce light-duty EVs. The Southeast is home to 31% of the anticipated 238,000 announced jobs in the EV sector.
The region is gearing towards an EV transition. Read more in the sections below on the two States that SMMT will be visiting; Alabama and Tennessee.
‘Auto manufacturing is the lifeblood of Alabama’s economy’
‘Auto manufacturing is the lifeblood of Alabama’s economy’ – Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce
Alabama is home to five major OEMs, collectively investing around $15 billion and producing 1.3 million vehicles annually ranking it in the top 5 US states:
Honda Development and Manufacturing of America
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
Toyota Motor Manufacturing
Proven to be a major automotive hub with a network of Tier 1 and 2 suppliers, manufacturers and service providers, Alabama is also the top US state for automotive exports totalling $11.2 billion in 2023.
The EV transition is a key focus for the state with $3 billion announced EV investment. Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai have introduced EVs to their Alabama assembly lines and Hyundai Mobis is embarking on a project to open a $205 million EV battery module plant.
The state agency – Alabama Industrial Development Training – has announced plans to build a $30 million workforce training centre focusing on electric vehicles and emerging technologies, to ‘help the state’s automakers continue to grow during the transition to electric powertrains’, signifying the importance of the EV transition for Alabama’s automotive industry.
‘Tennessee is the beating heart of the southern automotive corridor’
‘Tennessee is the beating heart of the southern automotive corridor’
Tennessee is home to more than 900 automotive suppliers and includes major assembly plants all building electric vehicles too:
Nissan North America (head quarters in Franklin, plant in Smyrna)
General Motors (Spring Hill)
Volkswagen (Chattanooga)
Ford Motor (under construction – Haywood County)
15% of Tennessee’s total exports is transportation equipment, making it one of the state’s top exports with a value of $5.8 billion reported in 2022.
Over 600,000 cars, light trucks and SUVs are produced annually with 31,000 electric vehicles. With the transition to EV, Tennessee continues to be near the top when it comes to anticipated jobs and investment and belongs in the top eight states for the most EV manufacturing investments. The past decade has seen Tennessee welcome $17.5 billion in announced EV investments and 20,200 jobs.*
In 2024, Tennessee saw a 60% increase in roll out of DC Fast Chargers – the highest growth in the Southeast. One further goal for the state is to increase EV adoption to 200,000 by 2028.
The programme is subject to change. There will be a mix of B2B meetings, site visits, networking and a conference giving delegates the chance to make the most of the visit. Read more about the proposed programme below:
Delegation visit programme
Agenda – subject to change
Monday 6 October:
Arrive in Huntsville, Alabama
UK delegation welcome dinner
Tuesday 7 October:
UK delegation briefing
Southern Automotive Conference – B2B meetings
UK delegation dinner
Wednesday 8 October
Southern Automotive Conference (AM)
Travel to Chattanooga, TN – site visits TBC
Thursday 9 October
Chattanooga, TN site visits TBC
Travel to Smyrna, TN – site visits TBC
Travel to Nashville, TN
UK delegation dinner
Friday 10 October
Meetings
Site visit, TBC
Programme ends
Cost
£595 + VAT (first delegate – SMMT member rate)
£395 + VAT (second delegate – SMMT member rate)
+£200 +VAT per delegate for SMMT non-members*
*SMMT membership starts from £768 + VAT per year. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Please note, you will need to organise your own flights and hotels. SMMT will provide a list of recommended hotels.
The travel during the trade mission will be organised by SMMT.
