

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 June 2022
A&O advises on financing for InstaVolt’s rapid EV charging infrastructure
Allen & Overy has advised a consortium of lenders on the GBP110 million senior debt financing for InstaVolt, which will support the growth and development of its rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging…

Publications: 16 June 2022
Trade secrets and the inevitable disclosure doctrine
Paul Keller and Gideon Duke Cohan co-authored the article, "Trade secrets and the inevitable disclosure doctrine: In California, worrying really doesn’t get you anywhere," for Attorney at Law Magazine…

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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