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

1205-2020

Stimulus Policy to Make China NEV Market Great Again

In less than a decade China's new energy vehicles (NEV) market has become the largest in the world. In 2018 more than a million NEVs were sold in China, more than three times the number sold in the US. However, sales ...
2304-2020

Managing China Subsidiaries during the COVID-19 Epidemic

Relevant Legal Issues and Countermeasures in relation to Corporate Governance and Compliance.
2304-2020

Automotive Suppliers Facing the COVID-19 Crisis: Opportunities and Risks for Investors

In the past few years, many automotive suppliers have been facing increasing financial or operational problems. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these problems and is putting some of these companies in considerable ...

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 ...