Automotive Advisory

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The automotive industry is undergoing rapid change. We advise OEMs, supply‑chain companies, retailers and mobility providers navigate challenges by bringing automotive experience and close collaboration.

We recognise the impact that the rapid evolution is having on the automotive sector.

It faces unprecedented change: the shift to EVs and alternative fuels, new global entrants, declining UK production, supply‑chain fragility, and evolving retail models. Geopolitics, tariffs and regulatory pressure add complexity.

We help respond with clarity - strengthening resilience, improving performance and positioning your business for the future.

Government Connectivity

Engagement with senior UK automotive and trade officials through our Automotive Advisory Team.

End‑to‑End Industry Expertise

Support spanning OEMs, supply chain, retail networks, mobility, battery tech and hydrogen.

Grant & Funding Leadership

Market‑leading capability in leading DRIVE35 and Innovate UK grant submissions and assurance.

Why Grant Thornton

Our automotive team brings a unique blend of industry, government and technical expertise spanning financial, commercial and operational advice. With strong relationships across OEMs, the supply chain, dealers and leasing businesses, we understand the commercial and operational pressures you face.

Our team gives you access to senior industry and UK government specialists, enabling informed decision‑making on regulation, tariffs, localisation, strategy and funding.

We are a market leader in complex grant submissions, including ATF and Innovate UK, and deliver integrated support across transactions, restructuring, tax, R&D and performance improvement.

Working with the team was a pleasure. They were engaging, professional, attentive to detail and supportive, whilst successfully auditing our business case for a government grant. Their expertise gave us confidence through the process, and a trusted partner at a critical phase of our process.

Lee Owens Managing Director, Hitachi Astemo Ltd

Automotive Grant Funding Application – Due Diligence Review

The challenge

We were engaged by a UK advanced manufacturer and the DBT to conduct an independent due diligence review on a major Automotive Transformation Fund grant bid worth up to £25m.

The solution

We delivered an evidence-based assessment of project viability, reconciled costs, funding needs, additionality and subsidy control, giving DBT clear insight to validate the bid.

The results

The review was completed within the eight-week timetable, enabling DBT to progress its internal decision with confidence.

Value chain roadmap

You can't look at just one element of the automotive value chain in isolation - the upstream and downstream segments are inter-dependent.

Our extensive knowledge of both segments brings our clients a complete picture of the automotive industry, including potential growth opportunities across the entire automotive market.

Our upstream and downstream specialists work with clients at every stage of the automotive value chain: from assisting businesses within the supply chain to helping dealerships.

We service companies over the life of both passenger and commercial vehicles, including trucks, trailers and on and off-highway construction machinery, excavators, and agricultural equipment.

Article

Automotive industry trends and predictions for 2024

With 2024 set to be another year of change across the supply, distribution and retail automotive markets, Owen Edwards summarises the outlook for the year ahead.