Europe

CEE Automotive Supply Chain 2021
12-13 October 2021
If you are interested in becoming part of the Czech and Slovak automotive industry supply chain, join this event with a conference, networking and B2B meetings – the biggest matchmaking event in the Czech and Slovak republic. SMMT members receive a 10% discount – contact the International team for the code.

7th International CEE Automotive Forum
Budapest, Hungary: 20-21 October 2021 
Adam Smith Conferences are bringing together all the leading players of the automotive industry from 20+ CEE countries to discuss how to rebuild the industry after COVID-19. This event has been postponed to 14-15 April 2021.

Slovak Matchmaking Fair 2021
Bratislava / Virtual, 21 October 2021
An international networking event covering current industry topics as well as providing direct opportunities for making new business contacts. The event is focused on bilateral meetings, presentation of partnership offers, free production capacities or joint ventures. SMMT has limited free tickets, contact us for more information.

Central and Eastern Europe
One-to-one meetings with a focus on commercial opportunities in the automotive supply chain organised by Santander, categories include plastic injection i.e. front end, seating components, interiors, stamping groups for weld assemblies

Reports and updates

The automotive industry in Romania 
2 August 2021
August’s SMMT International Newsletter features guest writer Emanuela Cristescu, Trade Development Adviser at the Department for International Trade in Bucharest.

Germany Accelerates Electric Mobility Revolution
6 September 2021
September’s SMMT International Newsletter features guest writer Robert Scheid, Director UK & Ireland at Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI).

Slovakia and the UK: bonds tied through Innovation and Expertise
1 December 2020
Michal Sventek, Trade Adviser, DIT Bratislava discusses Slovakia’s automotive sector.

Manufacturing Landscape in Lithuania

Automotive Industry in Lithuania

Opportunities

Poland
Parts and accessories for vehicles and their engines

Previous events and webinars

Webinar: Baltic States – opportunities for UK automotive
Virtual: 27 May 2021, 10:00 (BST)
The Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania offer potential opportunities including partnerships and a place to expand your business in Europe, especially as the region is well placed for the Russian and Nordic markets too. SMMT was delighted to partner with key organisations in the region to share why this is a place for UK companies to consider when it comes to opportunities in Europe. Topics such as self-driving vehicles, ultracapacitors, e-buses and electric & plug-in vehicles were explored.

Hungary, Poland and Slovakia – SMMT Electrified International Week
Virtual: 24 March 2021
Listen back to the latest updates on electrification in Central and Eastern Europe, focusing mainly on Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Hear from companies active in the region – INOBAT in Slovakia and ARP E-Vehicles in Poland, as well as SARIO, Jedlik Automotive Cluster, PSPA, Department for International Trade and Santander.

Germany – SMMT Electrified International Week
Virtual: 24 March 2021
Hear from Department for International Trade in Munich for an update on e-mobility in Germany, as well from Baden-Wurtemberg on activities in the region and the opportunities for UK firms.

Webinar: Opportunities in Central Europe for South West automotive companies
Virtual: 20 January 2021

Hear from Department for International Trade in the Central European region, plus SMMT and Santander on how companies in the South West of England could be exporting their products or services to Central Europe.

Webinar: Opportunities in Turkey
Virtual: 3 December 2020
Turkey is a major player in the automotive sector, producing around 1.4 million vehicles in 2019, making the country Europe’s 5th largest vehicle producer and 2nd in commercial vehicle production. The country is a very important trading partner for UK automotive, with total UK – Turkey automotive trade of more than £3 billion in 2019, including UK exports of engines and components worth more than £1 billion. Turkey is a proven production hub with 30 of the global top 50 suppliers using the country as a base. Meanwhile Turkey is aiming to improve its R&D, design and branding capabilities and has recently announced a locally developed electric car. Listen back for an overview of the sector in Turkey, opportunities for UK firms and to hear directly from Ford Otosan, a leading vehicle producer in Turkey.

Central European Cities – bespoke sessions for UK Tech companies
Virtual: 24-26 November 2020
The Department for International Trade organised bespoke meetings between Central European cities and UK companies offering mobility/technology solutions for either zero carbon public transport, retrofitting of buses, EV charging stations, smart infrastructure and more.

UK-Poland Green Recovery Forum
Virtual: 28 October 2020
The UK and Poland are ideal partners to achieve clean growth together, and the Green Recovery Forum explored and showcased some exciting new sectors that offer business opportunities to both countries.

Webinar: Automotive opportunities in Northern Spain, Basque Country 
Virtual: 29 September 2020
Spain is the second largest automobile manufacturer in Europe, and the Basque Country has 50% of Spanish Automotive Component companies, as well as being the most productive region in Spain with the highest investment in R&D. This webinar hosted by SMMT, Santander, Department for International Trade, Basque Automotive Cluster and SPRI is aimed at UK businesses in the Automotive sector looking to expand and explore opportunities in Spain. Listen back here and click here to see the slides.

Webinar: SMMT Business Support (as part of the NEAA Automotive Week)
Virtual: 16 September 2020
A webinar aimed at UK automotive companies wanting to know more about the support available now and going forward including information on funding and help with growing your business internationally. Contact us to receive the slide deck.

Webinar: Future mobility export opportunities in the German market 
Virtual: 3 September 2020
The Federation of Small Businesses and Germany Trade & Invest hosted a webinar on the ins and outs of exporting to, investing in, and partnering with companies from Germany.

Webinar: Future mobility export opportunities in the German market 
Virtual: 22 July 2020
Despite COVID-19, Germany remains one of the most influential automotive markets in the world, leading on R&D investment, with some of the biggest OEMs and Tier 1 companies. While there is a well-established supply chain for standard equipment, there are significant gaps and opportunities especially for CASE ( Connected Autonomous, Shared and Electric) vehicles and Data Driven mobility solutions so it’s the perfect place for innovative UK companies to export. Join Department for International Trade to find out more.

Webinar: Central Europe: Overview and opportunities in the Automotive and Smart Mobility sectors, post Covid-19
Virtual: 9 July 2020
Listen back to Ljupcso Mihailovszki, Automotive Lead from the Department for International Trade team in Central Europe, and Jay Nagley, sector specialist in DIT HQ. The webinar focuses on Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Bulgaria. .

Webinar: Opportunities in Central Eastern Europe
Virtual: 13 February 2020
SMMT, Santander and DIT  partnered on this webinar to share information on the Central and Eastern Europe region aimed at UK automotive businesses, with a focus on Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia.