The automotive industry is a pivotal part of the UK manufacturing sector. Automotive firms are leaders in global best practice in many areas of manufacturing and provide a key source of improvement for the UK manufacturing sector as a whole.  Altogether eight companies manufacture cars in volume in the UK, together with seven truck and van manufacturers and many of the world's major component manufacturers.  The UK is home to the world's most successful motorsport industry and a number of leading independent automotive design firms, and is increasingly becoming a centre for engine production.

Automotive businesses are leaders in many areas of manufacturing, purchasing, product development and logistics.  Major inward investors have brought with them world best practice and the skills and knowledge of the industry provide a key source for improvement across the UK manufacturing sector as a whole.

The automotive manufacturing sector contributes around £8.5bn added value to the economy, and accounts for 1.1% of GDP, 6.2% of manufacturing value-added and 9.5% of total UK exports of goods.  Some 243,000 people are employed in the design and manufacture of vehicles and components, and a further 544,000 in the motor trades which supply, service and repair vehicles in the UK.

In 2003, over 1.65 million cars and 189,000 commercial vehicles were produced in the UK.  Of these some two thirds of the cars and half of the commercial vehicles were exported to a variety of markets.  Europe is the main destination, with significant sales in North America, and specialist luxury marques sold worldwide.

The Automotive Unit

The job of the DTI Automotive Unit is to help the UK Automotive Industry succeed.  It does this by encouraging the spread of best practice in design and manufacture, supporting inward investment and influencing the design of regulations and tax policy so that they reflect the interests of the sector.  Building close relations with key companies and intermediaries in the sector is essential if these objectives are to be achieved.  The Unit therefore includes Business Relationship Managers whose job it is to maintain regular contacts with key firms to ensure that we build and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the issues that affect their productivity and competitiveness and therefore that of the country as a whole.  For more information visit the Auto Industry site www.autoindustry.co.uk.

Americas Team
020 7215 1246

Responsible for the DTI's relationship with the major American-owned vehicle manufacturers and suppliers based in the UK. The team also leads on the relationship with the UK construction equipment industry and on the implementation of a competitiveness programme with the Construction Equipment Association.

Asia Team
020 7215 1182

The Team is responsible for the relationship with vehicle and component manufacturers from Japan and other Asian countries.  The team also promotes the long-term co-operation programme in China.  It has responsibility for issues affecting the tyre sector and coordinates Automotive Unit activity on trade development and investment and on issues impacting on the components sector as a whole.

Europe Team
020 7215 1069

Responsible for relationships with major European-owned vehicle and component manufacturers based in the UK. This team also co-ordinates the Automotive Unit's work on powertrain - engines, transmissions and driveline components.

Analysis Team
020 7215 1114

The team is responsible for analysing key trends in the automotive sector and their implications for the future growth of the industry in the UK. It works closely with trade associations and academic and other analysts as well as drawing on the assessments of UK firms themselves.

Automotive Innovation Technology Team
020 7215 1188

The team leads on strategic issues where innovation, technology and skills are central to the sustainable development of the automotive sector as a critical part of an integrated transport system.  It is responsible for taking forward the DTI's objectives under the Powering Future Vehicles strategy and manages the DTI's Foresight Vehicle: http://www.foresightvehicle.org.uk/, the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership: http://www.lowcvp.org.uk/ and the SMMT Industry Forum: http://www.industryforum.co.uk/.

Policy and Regulation Team
020 7215 1177

The team takes the lead on regulatory issues impacting on the automotive sector.  Its role is to ensure that industry's concerns are taken fully into account by Government and the European Commission, dealing with issues such as vehicle emissions, Block Exemption and End of Life Vehicles.  The team is responsible for the DTI's relationship with the two main automotive trade associations, the SMMT and the RMI

Automotive Regional Unit
0121 212 5017

Based in Birmingham, this Team is responsible for relationships with UK-owned vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers.  The unit also takes the lead in working with regional organisations such as Government Offices and Regional Development Agencies.  The team is responsible for working with the bus and coach sector, for liaison with the Motorcycle Industries Association on issues affecting the UK motorcycle industry and for the Auto Industry site http://www.autoindustry.co.uk/

Meeting the Needs of Industry
SMMT Industry Forum
Tel: 0121 717 6600
Web: www.industryforum.co.uk/

SMMT Industry Forum is a world unique collaboration between international vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers.  Created by the motor industry for the motor industry, its aim is to develop and sustain world-leading competitiveness in the UK based vehicle and components industry.  Industry Forum has created a number of programmes based around a common approach which enable a company in any part of the supply chain to make real measurable improvements in Quality, Cost and Delivery, while also improving partnership with its customers.

SMMT Automotive Academy
Tel: 0121 717 6655
Web: www.automotiveacademy.co.uk

The Automotive Academy promotes globally competitive standards of training and development throughout the UK's automotive industry.  It supports the whole supply chain, not just vehicle manufacturers, to encourage best practice across the entire industry.  The Academy will both create new training courses and approve and support best practice programmes, providers and assessors, which meet its high standards.  The goal is to ensure consistently high standards of training to enable the automotive industry in the UK to grow and prosper in the worldwide market.

Foresight Vehicle
Tel: 0845 009 3838
Web:www.foresightvehicle.org.uk

Foresight Vehicle is the UK's national automotive knowledge transfer network aiming to promote technology and to stimulate suppliers to develop and demonstrate market driven enabling technologies for future road vehicles which must satisfy increasingly stringent environmental requirements as well as meeting expectations for safety, cost, performance and desirability.

Automotive Innovation and Growth Team
Tel: 0121 212 1311
Web: www.autoindustry.co.uk/automotive_unit/aigt

Sir Ian Gibson, former head of Nissan in Europe, led this collaboration between government and industry which reported in May 2002. The work of the group covered design, development and manufacturing, technology, the environment, distribution and retail. In addition to its policy recommendations, the AIGT played a major part in changing the structure and working style of the Automotive Unit.

Specific Export Help for the Automotive Sector
www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk/

UK Trade & Investment

UK Trade & Investment is the Government Organisation that brings together the work of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) in support of British trade and investment overseas.  Sector specific export help for Automotive industries can be found on the UK Trade & Investment website.

Other Sector Contacts

The Automotive Unit works with a range of partners to promote the capabilities of the UK automotive sector and help individual companies and supply chains to compete globally. Key activities are summarised below. A more extensive list of Trade Associations in this sector can be found at the Trade Association Forum website and also the Auto Industrysite.

Automotive Distribution Federation (ADF)
68-70 Coleshill Road
Hodge Hill
Birmingham
B36 8AB
Contact: Brian Spratt
Tel: 0121 784 3535 Fax: 0121 784 4411
Web: www.adf.org.uk
ADF represents parts distributors and suppliers in the UK.

Garage Equipment Association
2/3 Church Walk
Daventry
Northants NN11 4BL
Contact: John Nelson
Tel: 01327 312 616 Fax: 01327 312 606
Web: www.gea.co.uk/

Construction Equipment Association (CEA)
Orbital House
85 Croydon Road
Caterham
Surrey CR3 5PD
Contact: Rob Oliver
Tel: 01883 334499
Fax: 01883 334490
Email: cea@admin.co.uk
Website: www.coneq.org.uk

The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) serves construction equipment manufacturers, components suppliers and associated service providers.

Independent Garage Association (IGA)
9 North Street
Rugby
CV21 2AB
Contact: Bob Hood
Tel: 01788 576 465 Fax: 01788 547 361
Web: www.rmif.co.uk/

National Tyre Distribution Association
Elsinor House
Buckingham Street
Aylesbury
HP20 2NQ
Contact: Richard Edy
Tel: 0870 9000600 Fax: 0870 9000610
Web: www.ntda.co.uk/

Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF)
201 Great Portland Street
London W1N 6AB
Contact: Joanne Gibson
Tel: 020 7580 9122 Fax: 020 7580 6376
Web: www.rmif.co.uk/

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
Forbes House
Halkin Street
London SW1X 7DS
Contact : Bob Lawrie
Tel: 020 7235 7000 Fax: 020 7235 7112
Web: www.smmt.co.uk/

The SMMT is the automotive industry's main trade association. It exists to support and promote the interests of the motor industry in the UK and abroad. Key objectives include improving the competitiveness of members and assisting them to develop their business internationally. At national level their close collaboration with government has created a world-unique co-operation between international vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers - the SMMT Industry Forum. By working with expert engineers from some of the world's leaders in vehicle manufacture, SMMT is transferring best practice manufacturing knowledge and skills throughout the UK components supply base.

National Caravan Council
Catherine House
Victoria Road
Aldershot
Hampshire
GU11 1SS
Contact: Alan Bishop
Tel: 01252 318251 Fax: 01252 322596
Web: www.nationalcaravan.co.uk/

The National Caravan Council (NCC) is the representative trade body for the UK caravan industry.

General Business Support, Schemes and Initiatives

Small Business Service
The Small Business Service operate a number of schemes and initiatives that are designed to help small businesses in a variety of ways. Sector specific support for Automotive industries can be found on their Business Advice Online website: http://www.dti.gov.uk/bestpractice

DTI For Business
This page lists many of the initiatives that the DTI and other parts of Government currently operate. Included on this page are links with various support schemes and initiatives.

DTI Information Age
This page lists many of the initiatives that the DTI and other parts of Government currently operate. Included on this page are links with schemes and initiatives offering guidance and advice relating to new technology and fast access to information.

DTI International Trade and Investment
This page offers a comprehensive menu of links to sites offering support to exporters (through UK Trade & Investment), investors in the UK and importers into the UK.

Companies House
From this site, you can link to a wide range of Government sites and Professional Bodies that can provide general guidance and support for all UK companies.

The Trade Association Forum
The Trade Association Forum helps associations to deliver best practice to members.

Regulatory Guidance
DTI Regulatory Guidance provides general guidance from the DTI and also links to other relevant DTI web pages.

The Direct Access Governmentwebsite
provides guidance issued by other Government Departments.