

Automotive
It is impossible to imagine modern lifestyle without various options for transportation of people or goods – mobility is the physical bridge to globalisation.
At the same time the automotive sector is currently undergoing its biggest transformation since the invention and mass production of the motorcar, more than a hundred years ago. This transformation includes topics like the evolution of the drivetrain from internal combusting engines to alternative drivetrain concepts such as battery electric vehicles, new market entrants with new technologies, the future of self-driving cars, or even global economic power shifts.
Our global automotive practice acts for OEM’s and suppliers across the industry. The practice operates on a cross-border basis and covers the full spectrum of legal support in mergers and acquisitions, data protection, intellectual property rights, commercial transactions (including licensing and collaborations), capital markets and finance, regulatory, tax considerations, dispute resolution, employment as well as antitrust.
Transforming the automotive landscape - trends we see
Electrification
All automotive classes, including electrified vehicles from mild hybrids to battery electric (EVx), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as well as fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) alongside with the traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) can expect major impacts from governmental regulations and changes in consumer preferences.
Connectivity & Digitalisation
Connected cars, cars that are equipped with internet access can generate data about the specific vehicle, as well as the driver. As the usage of connected cars grows, the amount of data collected from vehicles will rise exponentially. This presents opportunities for companies in the automotive ecosystem to monetise data.
Autonomous driving & Automation
Vehicles will be able of sensing the environment and moving with little or completely without human input. Even though, it may take many years that we will see driverless cars in our cities, new active safety concepts are emerging and are going to be an important business opportunity for car makers as well as for their suppliers.
Mobility as a service
Personally-owned transportation sees a shift towards mobility solutions which are consumed as a service. New innovative market player enter the automotive ecosystem and compete against traditional well-established automotive manufacturers and suppliers.
News and insights

News: 27 July 2023
Allen & Overy advises Nissan on historic renegotiation of its alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi
Allen & Overy is advising global Japanese automotive group Nissan Motor Co., Ltd (Nissan) on the intellectual property, commercial and supply aspects of the renegotiation of its 24-year alliance with…

News: 26 July 2023
Allen & Overy advises on bond by Leasys
Allen & Overy has advised Leasys S.p.A. on the issuance of a senior unsecured bond for a total nominal value of EUR750 million intended for professional investors.

Publications: 28 July 2022
Equity capital markets in 2022: Europe cools, the Middle East heats up. What next?
The equity capital markets have faced challenging conditions in H1 2022. European markets cooled, the Middle East boomed.

Publications: 14 June 2022
Webinar: The landscape of the autonomous vehicle market
The inaugural program in Berkeley Center for Law & Technology’s (BCLT) Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Series in partnership with A&O provides listeners an overview of the current state of the industry.
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