NFDA’s Driving Automotive – New Entrants: New Opportunities conference returned to the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on Wednesday, bringing together leaders from across the industry to explore the economic landscape at home and abroad, shifting market trends, the legislative framework, and the rapidly evolving retail environment shaped by emerging OEMs. Hosted by Declan Curry, former BBC business correspondent, the event delivered valuable insights from a range of expert speakers, including contributions from Mark Raban (Group One Automotive CEO), Auto Trader and showcases from several innovative new brands. A huge thank you to our speakers and everyone who attended. We look forward to welcoming you to the next Spring edition. The State of the UK Economy The day opened with Declan Curry introducing Professor David Bailey of the Birmingham Business School, who examined the state of the UK economy against the backdrop of global pressures. He discussed the impact of Trump tariffs on the UK car industry and assessed China’s growing influence on the sector. He also provided an update on the ZEV Mandate, outlining how evolving targets will shape future strategies. A Global Perspective Up next was Steve Young, Managing Director of ICDP and Auto West London, who offered a global perspective on market trends. After introducing ICDP’s background and research focus, he highlighted the rapid advance of Chinese OEMs, noting that established brands are increasingly on the defensive as Chinese manufacturers gain consumer support and shift their focus to Europe amid restricted access to North America. Young also touched on the challenges BEVs pose for dealer profitability across Europe, the longer-term impact of ADAS on the crash repair sector and the opportunities presented by AI-driven digitalisation. He pointed to a significant contraction in sales networks over the past two years. New Entrants Reshaping the UK Market The new entrants landscape was further explored by Ian Plummer, Commercial Director at Auto Trader UK, who revealed that by the end of 2025 the UK will host 72 car brands, competing for approximately 2 million annual new car sales, a number set to rise to 91 brands within two years. New entrants already hold 15% market share, gaining traction faster than any previous wave of brands. Plummer attributed their rapid success to strong brand awareness, diversified model ranges and a focus on long-term, sustainable growth. EV Aftermarket Readiness & Opportunities Quentin Le Hetet of GIPA Automotive Aftersales Intelligence examined how electrification is reshaping the aftermarket. He highlighted that BEV sales remain roughly a year behind current ZEV Mandate expectations, yet by 2028 around 10.9% of the UK car parc is expected to be electric. He outlined the increasing complexity of managing two distinct car parcs, ICE and BEV, and delved into BEV aftersales readiness and future opportunities for workshops adapting to meet EV servicing needs. Legal Framework & Dealer Agreements After the break Miles Trower from TLT Solicitors provided clarity on the evolving legal framework underpinning dealer agreements, helping retailers understand how contractual obligations and manufacturer relationships will evolve alongside new market entrants. A Fast-Growing New Entrant Representing the perspective of a new OEM, Khalid Ansari (Cherry, OMODA, JAECOO) presented an overview of the brands’ UK launch and strategy. He highlighted their ambition to build a strong and sustainable brand presence, their upcoming product plans and their commitment to forging long-term partnerships with UK retailers. In Conversation with Mark Raban Declan Curry sat down with Mark Raban, CEO of Group One Automotive, to discuss the realities of running a large dealer group in an environment marked by consumer uncertainty. Raban reflected on the implications of the recent Budget, forthcoming industry changes, and how hesitant consumers, unsure of the right choice amid change, affect business planning. The session concluded with an audience Q&A. New Brand Entrants Showcase and Open Panel The day concluded with presentations from the latest OEMs entering the UK market, including Lucid Europe, AION UK and GEELY UK. A Q&A with some of our speakers explored how brands will impact the UK market, collaborate with retailers and if they’re here to stay. Conclusion Once again, thank you to our guest speakers and our audience. NFDA is proud to host such an insightful event, highlighting the future trends shaping our sector and the significant impact new brands are set to have on the UK automotive landscape.