Automotive
Our expertise in the automotive sector
To be ready for the future, manufacturers are not only being forced to adapt the products they have developed but also to rapidly develop new services. These changes give rise to questions. New forms of strategic partnerships in the area of sustainability and the introduction of new sales channels are adding to the uncertainty. Manufacturers and distributors engage Houthoff to guide them smoothly and efficiently through these major changes.
Suppliers in the automotive sector can get caught up in complex questions concerning omni-channel distribution, re-organisations or publicity on the performance of their products. In such cases, they ask our specialist Automotive Team for advice and, when necessary, for representation in legal proceedings. Companies that develop innovative modes of transport, such as autonomous and semi-autonomous cars, often come up against legal and commercial challenges. They engage our firm as a sparring partner. Manufacturers and other players in this market are regularly faced with issues regarding competition and privacy, including big-data disputes. They turn to our Automotive Team for assistance because they know that they have the in-depth expertise to guide them through these issues.
The many developments in the national and international automotive sectors are creating uncertainty. Houthoff removes this uncertainty and ensures that our clients’ activities remain in line with the applicable laws and regulations, and anticipate changes to these obligations that might be coming down the tracks. Our Automotive Team is familiar with fast-moving markets, and they work closely with other specialists in areas such as company law, intellectual property law, employment law, tax matters, criminal law and tax law. At Houthoff, we support our clients and help them succeed when it really matters.
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Advised Lumileds, a global leader in innovative lighting solutions, in its comprehensive financial restructuring. Lumileds emerged from a Chapter 11, resulting in a leadership transition and a funded debt reduction of approximately USD 1.4 billion.
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Advised Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp. II, a NYSE-listed special purpose acquisition company, on the merger agreement with Wallbox and Wallbox's listing as a Dutch N.V. on NYSE through the merger.
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Advised OLA Electric on the acquisition of electric scooter company Etergo B.V.
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Houthoff represented IQ V-Tech B.V., a Quadrum Capital portfolio company, in entering into a strategic partnership with Alois Kober GmbH and mother company Dexcko Global through the sale of a 37.5% indirect interest in the VB-Airsuspension and its group companies.
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Early 2017, Profile launced a campaign in which it alleged that 'Profile Brand Service' (Profile Merkonderhoud) was much cheaper (up to 28%) than the service of the authorised repairers. It did not use and trademark rights of car manufacturers.
Again, Houthoff acted on behalf of 18 car manufacturers and made an end to the Profile campaign, as Profile was unable to demonstrate that it was always much cheaper than the authorised repairers.
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Car importers usually appoint two types of repairers: those that also sell new vehicles on the basis of a dealer agreement and stand-alone repairers, that only repair vehicles. Obviously, the temptation for the latter to also sell new vehicles is big. In a recent case, where a Hyundai repairer sold new vehicles without a dealer agreement, the importer terminated the repairer agreement for cause. The repairer subsequently challenged the validity of the termination, arguing that he acted as an intermediary. Houthoff successfully defended the position of the Hyundai importer; the termination was upheld.
