UK automotive industry trade body The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is set to bring together automotive industry experts and government ministers for the first time to debate the future of the connected car.
SMMT Connected, taking place at the QEII Conference Centre, London, on Thursday 26 March, will give delegates a unique chance to hear from industry experts about the vast opportunities and challenges presented to the UK and the wider automotive sector by the rise of the connected car.
The event will bring together vehicle manufacturers to showcase and discuss their latest developments in connected technology. Attendees will also have the chance to see the latest connected features in action with cars on display from the likes of BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan.
The exclusive release of a new KPMG report into the potential future economic and jobs impact to the UK of connected and autonomous vehicles will be also be announced at the event.
Speakers at the Connected Cars will include:
- Ed Vaizey MP, Minister of State for Culture, Media and Sport
- Robert Goodwill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport
- Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive
- Stephan Stass, Senior Vice President, Business Unit Driver Assistance Systems, Chassis Systems Control, Robert Bosch GmbH
- Glenn Schmidt, Head of Steering and External Affairs, Sustainability Communications, BMW Group
- Dr Wolfgang Ziebart, Group Engineering Director, Jaguar Land Rover
- Takashi Shirakawa, Senior Vice President for Research and Development, Nissan Group of Europe
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The development of the connected car represents an exciting new opportunity for the UK automotive industry. This event will offer attendees a preview of the innovations already under development in the sector, as well as highlighting the potential that it can bring to the UK – and the whole automotive sector – in the future.”
To see the agenda in full, visit www.smmt.co.uk/smmtconnected. For a media invitation to the event, please contact Ben Foulds at [email protected].
About SMMT and UK the automotive industry
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the UK. It supports the interests of the UK automotive industry at home and abroad, promoting a united position to government, stakeholders and the media.
The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy accounting for more than £64 billion turnover and £12 billion value added. With more than 160,000 people employed directly in manufacturing and in excess of 770,000 across the wider automotive industry, it accounts for 10% of total UK export of goods and invests £1.9 billion each year in automotive R&D. More than 30 manufacturers build in excess of 70 models of vehicle in the UK supported by around 2,500 component providers and some of the world’s most skilled engineers.
