With experts in key jurisdictions across EMEA and Asia Pacific, our Automotive Group lawyers are ready to help you wherever you are located.

The automotive industry today faces a wide range of issues and challenges, ranging from classic supply chain, liability and IP matters through to exciting changes driven by disruptive technology, such as connectivity, autonomous driving and e-mobility. The pace of change means that it's now more important than ever for automotive companies across the entire supply chain to stay ahead of the game.

Whether traditional automotive players, new entrants or future disruptors, automotive clients benefit from our market leading expertise and knowledge of industry practices.

We can provide you with a full range of commercial and strategic advice spanning the entire lifecycle of a motor vehicle, including:

Commercial contracts, such as supply contracts, development, distribution and tooling agreements, logistics, software and technology contracts
Product safety and liability matters, including warranty, recalls and field actions
Protecting and exploiting your IP
Financing, investment and strategic partnerships
Cartel investigations
M&A and merger control
Regulatory and environmental matters
Import and export controls
Connectivity and data protection

In addition, our longstanding automotive sector experience, combined with our focus on technology and the digital world makes us well placed to guide you through the challenges and opportunities posed by the rapidly changing landscape in connected and autonomous driving, electric vehicles and new mobility concepts.

Click here to view our autonomous driving portal.

If you'd like to know more about how we can help your business, please contact Heads of Group Christian Kessel in Frankfurt or Anne Federle in Brussels.

Recent highlights of work

We advised one the world's largest producer of aluminium Alcoa Inc in restructuring and subsequent sale of its European wire harness and electrical distribution business division in Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Portugal, Romania, Ireland and UK.
We advised Audi AG in connection with the total IT procurement, Enterprise 2.0 System, car-to-car connectivity and similar matters.
We advised global vehicle components manufacturer Delphi Automotive on the acquisition of the motorised vehicles business of automotive connector manufacturer FCI S.A.

Related materials and downloads

Automotive brochure

3103-2020

KFW emergency liquidity assistance to combat COVID-19

To combat COVID-19 and its economic impact, German state-owned development bank Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) has introduced the unlimited “KfW special programme 2020.” We have summarised the programme with ...
2503-2020

COVID-19 Update Germany: German government enacts a set of measures aiming to protect businesses from the effects of the current Corona crisis; amendments to German insolvency law in preparation

In order to protect German companies and their employees against the economic impact of the coronavirus, the German government has resolved on 23 March 2020 on a comprehensive set of measures. It is the largest ...
2503-2020

COVID-19: International Restructuring & Insolvency update

As the Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread across the globe, people and businesses are facing unprecedented challenges, both immediate and strategic. Governments in various jurisdictions have ...

0101-2020

New trade mark partner and team to join Bird & Bird in Hamburg

Bird & Bird is pleased to announce that recognised trade mark specialist Frederik Thiering is set to join as a partner in its Hamburg office in the new year.
1705-2019

Our international Patent team wins global recognition at the Who's Who Legal Awards 2019 for the 3rd Consecutive Year

Last night we were awarded 'Global Patent Firm of the Year' at the 5th annual Who's Who Legal Awards in London. This achievement showcases the international strength and quality of our teams and confirms our ...
0509-2018

Bird & Bird today boosts its International Automotive Group with the appointment of Lawrence Freeman as Senior Counsel in Brussels

Lawrence joins from Tesla Inc. where he spent the past five years as European Counsel. With nearly 25 years of experience as a competition and regulatory lawyer both in-house and in private practice, he advises on a ...