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Automotive

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  • Key Contacts
  • Recent Experience
  • Recent Recognition
  • Insights, News & Events
  • Related Services
  • Download PDF
  • Recent Experience
  • Recent Recognition
  • Insights, News & Events
  • Related Services

The automotive industry is undergoing unprecedented change and disruption. Innovative incumbents and nimble new players are charting the future of personal and commercial mobility. Technological advances such as electrification and autonomous vehicles, and shifting consumer choice driven by sustainability and on-demand mobility will influence not only automotive manufacturers, suppliers and dealers, but also supply chains in other industries and governments at all levels.

Our firm assists automotive industry players to navigate opportunities and pitfalls brought on by this innovative landscape, and the commercial impacts on their business. Whether in commercial, regulatory or advocacy work, clients benefit from efficient, practical legal solutions that align with their business objectives. We support clients across the full spectrum of the industry, including original equipment manufacturers, suppliers, technology developers, and distributors.

Client interview

"Their strength is in their ability to effectively function as a team. Advice is prompt and clear; it is apparent that there is alignment among the team with significant trust between team members."

Broadly, our expertise includes:

  • Innovation – autonomous and connected vehicles, vehicle and ride sharing, V2X communications, electrification and EV infrastructure, process improvement
  • Technology & IP – patents, trademarks, technology procurement, licensing and commercialization, privacy and cybersecurity
  • Regulatory – vehicle safety, emissions, stationary environmental, transportation of dangerous goods, insurance
  • Employment services – Employment law, occupational safety, worker's compensation, pensions and benefits
  • Government relations – public policy issues
  • Litigation – class actions, product liability, regulatory enforcement matters, sales and marketing liability, commercial and dealer disputes
  • Dealer issues – network planning and management, corporate structures, agreements, real estate, disputes
  • Commercial – M&A, financing, import/export, customs and trade, real estate, competition/antitrust, insolvency and restructuring
  • Product Support – warranty issues, recalls, insurance
  • Tax – tax structuring, commodity tax, transfer pricing
  • Trade – import/export issues, trade and other cross-border issues
  • Sales & Marketing – consumer protection, pricing, contests, finance and lease advertising

Client interview

"One client enthuses: 'I have been impressed with their legal analysis as well as their ability to comprehend the complex situation of the case.'"

Client Interview

"They are very knowledgeable, upper-calibre legal assistance for sure,"

Featured Insight

Electric Vehicles and Critical Minerals

Key Contacts

  • Matthew  Flynn Matthew Flynn, Partner
  • Leonard J. Griffiths Leonard J. Griffiths, Partner
  • Ilan  Ishai Ilan Ishai, Partner
  • Michael C. Smith Michael C. Smith, Partner
  • Cheryl M. Woodin Cheryl M. Woodin, Partner
  • Related Lawyers

Recent Experience

Volkswagen AG in a securities class action alleging misrepresentations in Volkswagen’s public disclosures related to NOx emissions.
General Motors in defence of class actions alleging product defects in the Takata airbags used on certain brands of GM cars and trucks.
Hyundai Canada and Kia Canada in defence of a class action alleging that ZF TRW airbags used in certain cars and trucks are defective.
Meritor, Inc. in defence of a class action alleging price fixing in the sale of automotive exhaust systems.
NTN Bearing Corporation in defence of nationwide competition class actions related to automotive and industrial bearings.
Delphi Automotive in defence and resolution of competition class actions related to automotive wire harnesses.
ALPHA Corporation in defence of a class action alleging price fixing in the sale of automotive access mechanisms.
Hyundai Canada and Kia Canada in defence of a class action alleging that their Theta II engine is prone to clogging in the lubrication systems resulting in premature wear of the engine components and catastrophic engine failure.
ZF Friedrichshafen AG in defence of a class action alleging anti-competitive conduct related to its braking systems.
Volkswagen in defence of various class actions arising from alleged misrepresentations relating to the emissions of its 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre diesel vehicles.
Panasonic Corporation and its related entities in defence of class actions alleging anti-competitive conduct in the sale and supply of automotive air conditioners.
Bridgestone Corporation and related entities in defence of a class action alleging price fixing in the sale of anti-vibration rubber parts, and a related investigation by the Competition Bureau.
General Motors in nationwide class actions alleging product defects in its ignition switches on certain brands of cars and trucks.
Webasto SE in defence of a class action alleging anti-competitive conduct related to its parking heaters, and a related investigation by the Competition Bureau.
Volkswagen in defence of a Canada-wide class action relating to CO2 emissions from various gasoline powered Audi vehicles.
TRW Automotive (now a subsidiary of ZF Friedrichshafen AG) in defense and resolution of competition class actions related to occupant safety systems.
General Motors in a class action alleging product defects in a fuel pump installed on certain brands of cars and trucks.
Nippon Seiki in defence of competition class actions related to instrument panel clusters and fuel senders.
Hyundai Canada in defence of a class action alleging misrepresentation in fuel consumption claims.
MPE Partners, as Canadian counsel, in the US$255-million sale of its portfolio company dlhBowles inc., a provider of engineer plastic solutions to multiple industries, to ABC Technologies Holdings Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of custom, highly engineered technical plastics and lightweighting innovations to the global automotive industry.
Nucap Industries Inc., one of the largest manufacturers of after-market brake components in the world, in defence of a claim by German manufacturer Bosch in a claim for breach of a supply contract.
The Limestone Boat Company in its US$6.25-million acquisition of Ebbtide Holdings, LLC, and a concurrent US$14.1-million private placement financing.
Toyota Motor North America, Inc. in defence of a class action alleging it engaged in anti-competitive conduct through implementation of its Access Program.
Usui International Corporation and Usui Co. in defence of a class action alleging anti-competitive conduct related to its automotive steel tubes.
Volkswagen AG and affiliates in defence of class actions alleging a conspiracy in the price and design of car components.

Recent Recognition

Chambers Canada
Environment (Band 1); Competition/Antitrust; Corporate/Commercial: The Elite (Alberta & Ontario), Highly Regarded (BC); Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence); Intellectual Property; International Trade/WTO; Real Estate (Alberta, Ontario, BC & Nationwide)
Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers for Business
Environment (Band 1); Competition/Antitrust; Corporate/M&A; Dispute Resolution: Class Action (Defence); Intellectual Property; International Trade/WTO; Real Estate
The Legal 500 Canada
Dispute Resolution: Alberta (Tier 1); Environment (Tier 1); Capital Markets; Competition and Antitrust; Corporate and M&A; Dispute Resolution: Ontario; Intellectual Property; International Expertise; International Trade; Real Estate
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory
Class Actions (Toronto); Competition Law (Calgary, Toronto); Corporate Commercial Law (Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto); Environmental Law (Calgary, Toronto); Intellectual Property (Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto); Property Development, Property Leasing (Calgary) and Property Financing & Development (Toronto)

Insights, News & Events

Blog

The Current State of Canada's ZEV Market

March 20, 2023
       

Blog

Electric Contracts for Electric Vehicles: The Key Considerations

February 01, 2023
       

Articles

One-Half of the Critical Minerals Story: Canadian Mining Journal

January 12, 2023
       

Related Services

Commercial Transactions
ESG Strategy and Solutions
Intellectual Property Law
Mining
Transportation
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