Automotive

Working just in time and to formidably tight margins, we know just how much pressure that businesses within the automotive sector are under and with most looking to limit their exposure to risk and liability, they need a legal team that understands their sector and its pressures.

Our automotive clients fall into two camps:

  • component and vehicle manufacture
  • retail, distribution and after-market services

Every automotive client needs help from time to time on contractual matters, property issues and in relation to employees.

Supply arrangements are key in this sector as stopping a production line can be hugely costly as can being held to ransom by a supplier.

Legal experience in the automotive sector

We have specialist lawyers with many years experience in the automotive sector, working with component manufacturers, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) and dealerships and garages.

We are often asked to advise and draft and negotiate where applicable:

  • Manufacturing and Supply Agreements
  • Dealership and Franchise Agreements
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Finance and Security Arrangements
  • Marketing and Placing Agreements
  • Sponsorship arrangements and competitions
  • Buying and selling automotive businesses
  • Intellectual property rights
  • Debt collection
  • Employment issues
  • Disputes
  • Property issues – whether acquiring or disposing of, or lease premises, option agreements
  • Planning, development and environmental issues.

Automotive services

Manufacture of vehicles and components

Much of the work in the automotive sector is just in time, the commercial and timely advice we provide is to help our clients achieve their commercial goals but with a firm eye kept on their risk and liability.

Motor trade

We have a wealth of experience in dealership agreements and third party arrangements, such as placing vehicles on Autotrader, drafting rules for competitions, or agreements with PR companies as regards advertising and placing.

Why choose Furley Page for advice on the automotive sector

Members of our team have acted for the likes of Ford and Mazda, OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers such as Magna Exteriors and Interiors through to medium and smaller manufacturers of component parts.

We have lawyers with experience of working with automotive clients at all levels of the supply chain.

We have the legal expertise you need, an understanding of your market and act swiftly and effectively when you need support.

Example of work: contract law and Tier 1 supplier

Our experts in contract law advised on a supply agreement between an OEM and Tier 1 supplier involving sales in the region of EUR 30 million.

Example of work: drafting and negotiating complex contracts

Our contract specialists have drafted and negotiated contracts relating to tooling, component supply and environmental monitoring to more consumer facing aspects such as advertisements and TV placing competition entry rules and sponsorship agreements.

Examples of work: commercial property advice for dealerships

Our corporate and commercial property teams acted for the seller of a local Honda and Mazda dealership.

The team also acted for a local dealership who wanted to acquire more land to extend their premises.

Example of work: dispute resolution negotiated settlement

Our dispute resolution team has saved a local dealership hundreds of thousands of pounds in successfully negotiating the settlement of a dispute in respect of the supply of used vehicles.

How can we help you?

How can we help you?