Leaders from some of the UK’s most advanced automotive leaders and suppliers are convening in Oxfordshire this week for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Regional Forum. The event focused on strategies for growth amid a challenging global landscape.
The forum brings together key figures from across the South East’s thriving automotive sector to discuss responses to ongoing industry headwinds, including trade tensions, slower-than-expected electrification progress, and rising cost pressures, while identifying new opportunities for innovation and investment.
According to new SMMT analysis, the South East’s automotive sector contributes £1.3 billion annually to the UK economy and supports more than 17,000 jobs, representing one in every 11 of all automotive manufacturing roles nationwide.
Since 2015, companies in the region have invested over £1.4 billion, underscoring its continuing strategic importance.
With a rich motoring heritage dating back to the opening of the Brooklands motor circuit in 1907, the South East remains a global hub for automotive production and engineering excellence.
Nearly 750 manufacturers operate in the region, including world-renowned brands such as Caterham, Gordon Murray Automotive, McLaren, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and Ford’s UK engine plant.
The area also serves as a center for research, development, and testing, particularly in motorsport and autonomous vehicle technology, bolstered by the presence of Motorsport Valley and the Cambridgeshire Innovation Corridor.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to bring the SMMT Regional Forum to the South East this year, an area with strong automotive ties, a highly skilled and productive workforce, and a large economic contribution.”
“The event’s focus on product innovation and how it will reshape the industry could not be better timed as global investors decide where to design, engineer, and build the next generation of cutting-edge electric, connected, and automated vehicles,” he added.
Representing more than 800 automotive companies across manufacturing, sales, supply chain, and aftermarket services, SMMT provides a vital platform for members to share insights, address challenges, and strengthen their competitiveness.
Alongside flagship events such as the SMMT Summit and Electrified, the Regional Forum series supports networking and knowledge exchange across the UK, helping firms accelerate innovation and sustainable growth.
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