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Automotive
The automotive industry is constantly changing, adapting to new trends and embracing new technologies. The impact of digital – the development of connected/driverless cars and the development of smart manufacturing – present significant issues, such as the use and exploitation of data, liability issues, cross-border regulation and cybersecurity. Through technology, vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers are using new and innovative ways to do business with industry partners and customers, while having to comply with an ever-increasing burden of legislation and regulation.
Experienced automotive industry lawyers
With decades of experience advising the automotive industry, our Automotive legal team have a unique understanding of the issues that you face every day. We support global OEMs and remarketers of motor vehicles, leading automotive marketplace websites and software providers, wholesale and retail lenders, and Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers with a full range of services. We have particular experience in anti-trust, commercial and product liability litigation, corporate transactions, commercial terms, IP and data protection, regulatory, finance and tax.
When litigation cannot be avoided, our trial lawyers can advocate on your behalf in virtually every type of judicial, administrative and alternative dispute resolution proceeding. Our Automotive team also has substantial regulatory experience, and our attorneys can advise you in connection with supervisory examinations, investigations and enforcement actions.
Legal advice on automotive industry matters
Our recent experience includes:
- supporting the roll-out of a leading vehicle manufacturer’s connected car consumer app in more than 50 countries – the advice included input into the design of technology systems to ensure legally compliant customer journeys
- advising on the supply of a telematics system (which captures the car’s health, driver’s journeys, etc), working on the technology supply agreements, support arrangements and privacy and consumer aspects
- advising a global vehicle manufacturer on an antitrust investigation by the European Commission involving five of its competitors, into an alleged cartel around the timing and price increase levels for the introduction of new emission technologies
- representing a global automotive products and service provider in a number of strategic acquisitions and investments across the automotive ecosystem
- defending one of the world’s largest auto finance companies in a series of nationwide class actions brought under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, challenging discretionary credit pricing by originating dealers as part of an industry-wide challenge
- winning summary judgment for an automobile manufacturer against claims by a would-be dealership purchaser, who sued for millions in lost profits damages after the manufacturer turned down the proposed transfer
- recovering all intellectual property, a lucrative customer contract and non-compete terms for an automotive client in a trade secrets dispute
- re-drafting over 800 dealership agreements for a leading car manufacturer to meet changes in the EU block exemption rules
- counseling on licensing needs and U.S. state and federal regulatory compliance, including NHTSA, DMV, privacy and consumer protection regulations
- structuring, drafting and negotiating marketing contracts, restrictive covenant agreements, software licensing and software as a service (SaaS) agreements, and supply chain, procurement and logistics contracts
- advising on automotive financing including consumer and floor plan lending
Related publications
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Additive manufacturing - The fourth industrial revolutionAdditive manufacturing, or 3D printing as it often termed, is now beginning to gain significant traction in the public's imagination. In addition, additive manufacturing is starting to be implemented as a manufacturing process by leading global industries. |
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Smart thinking - Our guide to digital manufacturing
At Eversheds Sutherland, we advise over 300 clients in the manufacturing sector alongside over 200 suppliers of information technology and communications services via our longstanding sector focus on both the manufacturing and technology sectors. |
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Putting you in the driving seat - Our automotive sector insurance expertiseOur Insurance Group is recognized as a leader in the field, bringing a long track record of great results, innovative attitudes, highly effective advice and a level of service few law firms can match. |
Contact our automotive team
If you would like any further information or need advice on automotive matters, then please do not hesitate to contact our legal team.
Richard Prowse, Partner
- +44 20 7919 0868
- E-mail Richard Prowse
Ros Kellaway, Partner
- +44 207 919 4882
- E-mail Ros Kellaway
Peter Shervington, Senior Associate
- +44 113 200 4043
- E-mail Peter Shervington
Charlotte Walker-Osborn, Partner
- +44 121 232 1220
- E-mail Charlotte Walker-Osborn
Jason S. McCarter, Partner
- +1 404 853 8050
- E-mail Jason S. McCarter
Matthew Block, Partner
- +1 404 853 8040
- E-mail Matthew Block
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