CLEPA

What CLEPA does

CLEPA is the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, a Brussels-headquartered trade body founded in 1959 that represents the interests of the European automotive supply industry before EU institutions. It federates 3,000+ member companies, including 120+ global car part manufacturers and 20 national trade associations, collectively accounting for approximately 1.7 million direct sector jobs and €30 billion in annual R&D spend. Its core function is collective representation: advocating on regulatory, trade, and industrial policy issues that affect automotive suppliers operating in the European single market.

The association operates as a non-profit funded primarily through corporate membership dues and supplemented by EU project grants. Its service offering to members includes policy advocacy and direct engagement with the European Commission, industry conferences and networking events, the CLEPA Innovation Awards program, publications and commissioned industry analyses (such as the Roland Berger supplier competitiveness study), and participation in EU-funded collaborative research consortia spanning circular economy, cybersecurity, connected and automated mobility (CCAM), and standardization. Operationally, the organization is lean, with 11-50 employees led by Secretary General Benjamin Krieger.

CLEPA's strategic agenda is anchored in supporting the green and digital transition of the European automotive supply chain. The association has expanded its scope into emerging regulatory areas including connected and cooperative mobility via the CCAM Partnership, vehicle data access and aftermarket regulation via the FAAS initiative with FIGIEFA, and circular economy initiatives through participation in projects such as GIANTS, EFFEREST, and PULSE. Its competitive position rests on its recognized status as the primary supplier-industry interlocutor with EU policymakers, a role built over more than six decades and reinforced by its federation structure with national associations.

Name

CLEPA

Legal name

CLEPA (European Association of Automotive Suppliers)

Website

https://clepa.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CLEPA is the Brussels-based European Association of Automotive Suppliers, founded in 1959, representing 3,000+ supplier companies and 20 national trade associations in EU policy advocacy, industry events, and collaborative projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CLEPA is a European trade association representing over 3,000 automotive supplier companies before EU institutions. It delivers membership-based services including policy advocacy on regulations such as Euro 7, CO2 standards, Data Act, CBAM, and EUDR; sector intelligence via Data Digests, Pulse Checks, and position papers; networking through flagship events (Innovation Awards, Aftermarket Conference, Materials Regulations and Sustainability Event); and the CLEPA Plaza member community forum.

Product overview

CLEPA (European Association of Automotive Suppliers) is an industry association, not a product company. It does not offer commercial products or software. CLEPA provides advocacy, industry intelligence, and networking services to automotive suppliers. Its offerings include: the CLEPA Innovation Awards program celebrating automotive supply innovation; recurring conferences (After­market Conference, Materials Regulations and Sustainability Event); publications including Data Digests, Pulse Checks, and Position Papers on policy topics; CLEPA Plaza online member forum; and participation in EU-funded research projects such as GIANTS and EFFEREST. Industry Spotlights cover trends in Automotive Technology, Carbon Footprint, Connected Cars, and Corporate Sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CLEPA Innovation Awards An annual awards program that recognises and celebrates ground-breaking innovations in the automotive supply industry, driving the Green and Digital transition in Europe. Open to SMEs, start-ups, and multinational corporations.
• CLEPA Aftermarket Conference An annual conference addressing trends in the automotive aftermarket including electromobility, connectivity, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), with focus on diagnostics, calibration, and data access.
• CLEPA Materials Regulations and Sustainability Event A flagship CLEPA conference bringing together global automotive industry representatives to review and discuss key regulatory files and sustainability topics.
• CLEPA Data Digest CLEPA's bi-monthly publication shedding light on the health and resilience of the European automotive supply industry through latest facts and figures.
• CLEPA Industry Pulse Check Regular pulse check surveys and reports providing insights into the current state of the European automotive supply industry.
• CLEPA Position Papers Policy position papers covering topics such as CBAM, CO2 standards, Euro 7, EU Deforestation Regulation, General Safety Regulation, and industrial policy.
• CLEPA Plaza An online forum for members to discuss industry trends, facilitating networking and knowledge sharing among automotive supply industry professionals. For members only.

Quantifiable outcome

• European suppliers invest over €30 billion in R&D annually and file over 9,000 patents, making the mobility-technology industry one of the most innovative in the EU.
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, significant and minor.

• FIGIEFA (Automotive Aftermarket Distributors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEPA co-initiated the Forum on Automotive Aftermarket Sustainability (FAAS) with FIGIEFA. FAAS is a collaborative platform where all participants in the automotive aftermarket can exchange ideas, cultivate, and adopt sustainable practices. FAAS was officially established as an international non-profit association under Belgian law, with both CLEPA and FIGIEFA as founding members. The partnership aims to transform the European aftermarket sector into a fully accountable and proactive industry.
• PULSE (EU-funded project)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEPA joined PULSE, an EU-funded project, strengthening its engagement in Europe's transition toward electrified, connected, and automated mobility. PULSE addresses key technological and societal challenges. CLEPA's participation focuses on defining specifications and on communication and outreach towards automotive suppliers and the wider road transport ecosystem across Europe.
• Pre-LSDemo (EU-funded project)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEPA joined Pre-LSDemo, an EU-funded project supporting next-generation electric and connected mobility in Europe. The project addresses key technological and societal challenges. CLEPA's participation focuses on defining specifications and on communication and outreach towards automotive suppliers and the wider road transport ecosystem across Europe.
• GIANTS (EU-funded project, Horizon Europe)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEPA participates in GIANTS (Green Intelligent Affordable New Transport Solutions), an EU-funded Horizon Europe project starting January 2024. The project focuses on creating accessible and cost-effective mobility solutions through a new innovative EV platform with modularity, scalability, and interoperability. CLEPA's role focuses on defining specifications and on communication and outreach towards automotive suppliers and the wider road transport ecosystem.
• EFFEREST (EU-funded project, Horizon Europe)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEPA participates in EFFEREST (EFFicient user-centric EneRgy managEment SysTems for optimized electric vehicles), an EU-funded Horizon Europe project starting January 2024. The project leverages data to enhance energy efficiency in EV designs while ensuring user satisfaction and efficient vehicle operation. CLEPA's role focuses on communication and outreach towards automotive suppliers and the wider road transport ecosystem.
• EEA4CCAM (EU-funded project)significantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEPA joined EEA4CCAM, an EU-funded project driving the next generation of connected mobility architectures and software-defined vehicles. The initiative delivers cyber-secure and interoperable architectures that keep suppliers at the forefront of automotive innovation. CLEPA's participation focuses on communication and outreach towards automotive suppliers.
• Drive SustainabilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEPA participates as a stakeholder in the Drive Sustainability initiative, which analyses the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Drive Sustainability brings together automotive industry participants to address sustainability challenges in supply chains.
• Drive +minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEPA participates as a stakeholder in the Drive+ initiative alongside Drive Sustainability and other stakeholders to analyse the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) as it applies to the automotive supply industry.
• CCAM PartnershipsignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEPA supports the CCAM (Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility) Partnership, which unveiled a strategic vision for Framework Programme 10. The partnership calls for coordinated action from policymakers, industry, and research institutions to advance automated mobility.
• Roland BergersignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEPA commissioned Roland Berger to conduct assessments of competitiveness gaps, risks, and potential local content measures in key areas of the automotive industry including batteries, connectivity, and cybersecurity. The resulting analysis found that European content reaches up to 89% for PHEVs and 83% for BEVs, and that cost disadvantages of 15-35% exist for European suppliers.
• European Commission (EU-funded projects)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEPA is a regular and trusted partner in EU projects funded by the European Commission, including under Horizon Europe. These projects focus on electrification, connectivity, automation, and sustainability. CLEPA's participation involves defining specifications and communication and outreach towards automotive suppliers and the wider road transport ecosystem.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA):
• MEMA (Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association):
• FIGIEFA:

Regional players

• VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie):
• FIEV (Fédération des Industries des Équipements pour Véhicules):
• JAPIA (Japan Auto Parts Industries Association):
• SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders):
• ANFAC (Asociación Española de Fabricantes de Automóviles y Camiones):
• JAMA (Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association):

Others

• Drive Sustainability / Drive+:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clepa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CLEPA