The automotive industry remains one of the key manufacturing industries in Europe today. The automotive sector is a huge employer of skilled workforce and represents Europe’s largest private investor in research and development. The export market is larger than the import market in this important sector of the European economy.

Since 1989 countries in Central and Eastern Europe have formed a key center for automotive production in Europe. The region continues to benefit from ongoing, committed investment in new plants. On one side there are strong domestic brands (e.g. Škoda and Dacia now under the control of Volkswagen and Renault respectively), and on the other side—due to foreign direct investment—Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volkswagen, MAN, Volvo, General Motors (Opel, Isuzu), Fiat, Kia and Hyundai have opened plants in Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania. These investments were planned as a precursor to an influx of original equipment manufacturers.

Operating successfully in the automotive industry in CEE requires a leading legal partner with the depth of knowledge and breadth of relevant experience to meet your requirements. Dentons has the unique coverage you need for this challenging industry.

Our advice covers all areas of the automotive sector business from corporate and commercial law to employment and labor relations, to real estate and tax, and we help you navigate all regulatory requirements. We have advised clients on the settlement of disputes in the automotive industry.

We count leading automotive companies amongst our global clients. You can benefit from the experience of lawyers who have worked for decades with automotive manufacturers, giving you an advantage with tried and tested business solutions.

Look to our lawyers for effective support including:

• Corporate and transactional advice
• Greenfield/Brownfield projects
• Treasury-related funding for finance companies
• Dealership distribution/franchising
• Dealership stock and other funding
• Retail finance for end-user
• Competition and other regulatory issues
• Tax
• Real estate
• Government aid/government relations
• Motor finance recovery litigation
• Product liability and end-user quality and other disputes
• Employment law
• Reorganization, restructuring and insolvency

Insights

Ukraine strengthens state support for investment

September 22, 2023

Ukraine: In order to promote a more attractive investment climate in Ukraine, the Parliament of Ukraine amended the Law of Ukraine No. 1116-IX “On State Support for Investment Projects with Significant Investments in Ukraine”, which reduces the requirements for investors to enjoy benefits provided by this Law.

Reform of the competition legislation in Ukraine: stage one

August 16, 2023

Ukraine: A new law expected to go into effect in January next year will have a significant impact on competition legislation in Ukraine.

Ukraine: Keeping documents by an entity

July 6, 2023

Ukraine: On 28 April 2023 a new law entered into force that updates the amount of time taxpayers must keep various documents and other information.

View all insights for Automotive in Central and Eastern Europe

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Dentons advises Société Générale and BRD Groupe Société Générale on €435 million financing to Ford Otosan Romania

April 1, 2024

Global law firm Dentons advised Société Générale and BRD Groupe Société Générale, as Coordinating Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners, on a €435 million financing to automotive manufacturing company Ford Otosan Romania S.R.L.

Dentons secures a victory for Porsche Inter Auto Polska from the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland

January 17, 2023

Dentons' Tax Litigation team within the Tax practice in Warsaw has successfully represented Porsche Inter Auto Polska Sp. z o.o. in multiple cases before the Provincial Administrative Court in Warsaw and the Supreme Administrative Court concerning excise taxation on intra-Community acquisitions (ICA) of passenger cars. Both these courts agreed with Dentons' argumentation that taxpayers are entitled to make adjustments to the excise tax base.

Dentons’ lawyers advise a syndicate of leading Polish banks on PLN 653 million financing for Inter Cars

November 25, 2015

Dentons’ Banking and Finance practice team advised a syndicate of four Polish leading banks: Bank Pekao SA (UniCredit Group), ING Bank Śląski, Bank Handlowy w Warszawie (Citi Bank Group) and mBank (Commerzbank Group) on PLN 653 million financing of the current business activity and refinancing of the existing indebtedness of Inter Cars S.A. and its 12 subsidiaries in Europe.