Resources
The Northern Automotive Alliance is focused on supporting automotive business in the region. We work closely with organisations that exist to support the industry (such as those listed below) and introduce automotive businesses in our region, to the most appropriate organisation for their needs. If you would like any information or would like to discuss your requirements, please contact us here.
Governmental Organisations – National
The Automotive Council was established in 2009 to enhance dialogue and strengthen co-operation between UK government and the automotive sector.
The Council is made up of senior figures from across industry and government and meets three times per year.
In July 2013, the Automotive Council published the sector strategy: Driving Success – a strategy for growth and sustainability in the UK automotive sector. This long-term strategy sets out a range of actions to addresses the cross-cutting objectives of improving access to finance, support for emerging and disruptive technologies, skills development, and improving the competitiveness of the UK supply chain.
Industry-government collaboration through the Automotive Council has been vital to the sector’s success, with the Automotive Sector Deal (2018) published to ensure the right conditions for further growth. The activities of the Automotive Council are channelled through working groups, each divided into a range of workstreams.
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
BEIS replaced the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in July 2016. BEIS works to build a stronger, greener future by fighting coronavirus, tackling climate change, unleashing innovation and making the UK a great place to work and do business.
Department for International Trade (DIT)
DIT helps businesses export and grow into global markets to ensure their international success.
Governmental Organisations – Local
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP’s)
LEP’s are business led partnerships between local authorities and local private sector businesses. They play a central role in determining local economic priorities and undertaking activities to drive economic growth and job creation, improve infrastructure and raise workforce skills within the local area. There are 38 LEP’s across England, view the location map here.
Trade Organisations
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the UK. Its resources, reputation and unrivalled automotive data place it at the heart of the UK automotive industry.
SMMT is the voice of the UK motor industry, supporting and promoting its members’ interests, at home and abroad, to government, stakeholders and the media.
SMMT represents more than 800 automotive companies in the UK, providing them with a forum to voice their views on issues affecting the sector, helping to guide strategies and build positive relationships with government and regulatory authorities.
Low Carbon Focused
The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK provides funding, support and insight to help the UK automotive industry transition towards a net-zero future. This joint venture between the UK Government and the automotive industry born out of the automotive council aims to ensure that the UK remains competitive in the global race to reduce CO2 emissions. The APC team brings together those with innovative technologies, with those who can bring them to market.
Cenex was established as the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell technologies in 2005.
Today, Cenex focuses on low emission transport & associated energy infrastructure and operates as an independent, not-for-profit research technology organisation (RTO) and consultancy, specialising in project delivery, innovation support and market development.
Cenex also organise Cenex-LCV, the UK’s premier low carbon vehicle event, to showcase the latest technology and innovation in the industry.
Zemo Partnership (formerly LowCVP)
Active since 2003 as the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, LCV have played a pivotal role successfully delivering the UK’s low emission transport targets.
On 18 February 2021, acutely aware of the growing climate emergency and that ‘low’ is now not enough, Low CVP relaunched as Zemo Partnership, embracing a bold new chapter and the need for accelerated change to zero emissions.
From personal transport to freight, fleet and fuels, Zemo are determined to create a shift in the way people think about mobility — and steer them towards a future of zero emissions, sustainable transport that’s better for all.
Office for Zero Emission Vehicles
A team working across the government to support the early market for ultra-low emission vehicles (OLEV). The Office are providing £900 million to position the UK at the global forefront of OLEV development, manufacture and use.
Innovation
Supported by Innovate UK, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, and the Advanced Propulsion Centre, NVN provides a collaborative R&D Programme supporting innovative, SME-led projects focusing on developing and demonstrating zero emission and low carbon vehicle technologies in niche vehicle applications, with an emphasis on vehicle electrification, zero emissions and light-weighting.
NVN also facilitates collaboration and knowledge sharing, providing its members with the opportunity to network and showcase innovation to the industry at a variety of its own and industry events.
Launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
UKRI brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
For 45 years, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) have been helping businesses innovate for growth.
They do this by connecting businesses that have an innovation idea with the expertise to help deliver it. Right now around 800 businesses, 100 knowledge bases and over 800 graduates are involved in KTPs – collaborative, three-way partnerships creating positive impact and driving innovation.
Manufacturing
Catapult, High Value Manufacturing
Catapult High Value Manufacturing is leading the UK’s green manufacturing revolution, helping businesses to design, develop and manufacture their innovations.
The Proving Factory wraps automotive standards of New Product Introduction around your application ready technology;
The Proving Factory specialises in proving volume production of up to 20,000 units per year, de-risking the launch of new products and processes.
Powered by Productiv, The Proving Factory combines expertise in product and process development with materials application know how from our partners at Tata Steel, to take technology from application readiness to volume production.
Universities – see Automotive Skills, Education & Employment page
