The autonomous future: How can the EU close the gap in auto innovation?

Thursday 12th June 2025 UK: 13.00 1 hour

Sponsored by

Speakers:

• Benedikt Middendorf, Director of Automotive Mobility, Deloitte
• John Peters, Head of Consultancy, Arval UK
• David Betteley, Head of Content, Asset Finance Connect (Moderator)

As Europe pushes forward with its Automotive Industrial Strategy, a hard truth is becoming clearer: China is well ahead – by at least a decade – in the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles.

From AV pilots in major cities to fully commercialised robo-taxis, Chinese innovation is reshaping the global landscape. For Europe, the challenge is not just catching up, but also understanding how this gap will reshape auto finance: Who funds vehicles in an autonomous world? What happens when risk shifts from driver to system? And how do finance providers prepare for a market where fleets, not individuals, become the primary customers?

In this webcast, we’ll explore how the EU’s policy and technology agenda is responding, and what auto and fleet finance leaders must do to stay ahead of the curve.

What you’ll take away:

• An understanding on how China’s lead in AVs is shaping the global auto finance model

• Insight into why safer, driverless vehicles may accelerate the shift to fleet-based funding

• An update on what the EU Industrial Strategy is doing to respond—and where it falls short

• Insight into how finance providers should rethink product design, lifecycle planning and ESG compliance to futureproof amid global competitive pressure

• A grasp of the media’s role in shaping public and political perceptions—and why finance professionals need to cut through the noise with facts

This webcast is essential viewing for:

Fleet finance providers
Captive and bank lenders
ESG, risk and compliance professionals
Strategy and product leads across auto and mobility finance

Don’t miss this opportunity to get ahead of a transformation. Join the conversation, ask your questions, and shape your response to the industry’s biggest shift in a generation.

Got a question for the panel? Email edwardpeck@assetfinanceconnect.com

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