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Car production line
Car production line

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

blurry metallic facade of car

News: 05 March 2024

Allen & Overy advises Polestar on USD950m financing

London – Allen & Overy (A&O) has advised Polestar Automative Holding UK (Polestar), the Swedish electric performance car brand, in connection with a USD950m three-year loan facility provided by a…

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Aerial View of a busy city at dusk

News: 04 March 2024

Allen & Overy advises Leasys on a EUR500 million bond

Allen & Overy has advised Leasys on a new senior unsecured bond for a nominal amount of EUR500 million and 4-years maturity to 1st March 2028. 

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Stock information on screen

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.

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How EasyMile is tackling the under-30mph market and the impact of the pandemic on the autonomous vehicle industry

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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automotive practice brochure

Our global Automotive practice

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. Learn more about our automotive capabilities, our expertise and how we can support you.