The Society of Manufacturers and Traders is pleased to announce details of its fourth annual International Automotive Summit to be held at Clifford Chance, Canary Wharf, on 12 June 2012.

The 2012 Summit will include keynote addresses from global industry figures Ian Robertson, BMW, Board Member, Global Sales and Marketing, and Peter Tyroller, Member, Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH. The event will once again be chaired by national broadcaster, Justin Webb.

This year’s Summit centres around three main streams:

• The Changing Face of Vehicle Retail, supported by GForces Web Management.
• Innovation in Ultra Low Carbon Technology, supported by EDF Energy.
• Growth in the supply chain.

Throughout the day, panellists will explore each stream with intensely focussed session topics including the changing nature of the consumer and the emergence of the ultra-low carbon vehicle market, plus the key technologies manufacturers are adopting and - with the shift towards low carbon transportation - how the UK can play a major role in technology innovation. Attendees will also gain insight into vehicle manufacturers’ future purchasing strategies, funding opportunities, capital investment and workforce training in the supply chain.

At the Summit in 2011, vehicle manufacturers represented included Bentley, BMW, Ford, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Peugeot-Citroën, Renault, Suzuki, Tata Motors, Toyota and Volkswagen. Last year’s attendees included eight European or national CEOs / MDs of car companies as well as a number of directors of marketing, corporate and public affairs, engineering, assembly, sales, planning and operations.

Delegate numbers are strictly limited, and tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. An earlybird booking rate of £187.50 + VAT for SMMT members and £300 + VAT for non-members is available until 2 March. Full price tickets are priced at £250 + VAT for SMMT members and £400 +VAT for non-members. To book your place at the SMMT International Automotive Summit, call SMMT on 0808 178 8818.