european association of automotive suppliers

What european association of automotive suppliers does

CLEPA (European Association of Automotive Suppliers) is a Brussels-headquartered non-profit trade association that represents over 3,000 companies in the European automotive supply industry, including 120+ global car part manufacturers and 20 national trade associations and sector organizations. The association operates a membership-based model structured around three categories — corporate members, associate members, and national associations — and provides services spanning policy advocacy at the EU institutional level, industry intelligence (Data Digest, Industry Pulse Check with McKinsey, position papers, and studies with Roland Berger, BCG, and PwC), and a portfolio of flagship events including the annual CLEPA Innovation Awards, the Aftermarket Conference, and the Materials Regulations and Sustainability Event.

CLEPA's core value proposition is collective policy representation. It engages EU institutions on high-impact regulatory files including CO2 standards, the Data Act, Euro 7, the End-of-Life Vehicle Directive, REACH revision, the Sustainable Product Initiative, and the Critical Raw Materials Act, and participates in EU-funded R&D partnerships (CCAM, 2ZERO, BATT4EU, EEA4CCAM, PULSE, Pre-LSDemo) and skills initiatives such as the ERASMUS+ TRIREME consortium. It has co-developed a Business Partner Code of Conduct with the German automotive association VDA and co-signed the Antwerp Declaration for an Industrial Deal alongside 1,000+ industry leaders. Governance runs through a General Assembly, Board of Directors, and Steering Committee, with leadership including Secretary General Benjamin Krieger and President Matthias Zink (also CEO Automotive Technologies at Schaeffler).

Revenue is generated primarily through tiered membership dues, supplemented by event participation and EU project participation. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The association represents an industry that CLEPA data describes as responsible for approximately 75% of vehicle total value, €30 billion in annual R&D investment, 9,000+ patents filed yearly, 1.7 million direct EU jobs, and a €226 billion European aftermarket. CLEPA does not develop proprietary technology products; its competitive position rests on regulatory access, institutional legitimacy, and convening power across the European automotive supplier ecosystem.

Name

european association of automotive suppliers

Legal name

CLEPA

Website

https://clepa.be

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CLEPA is a Brussels-based non-profit trade association representing over 3,000 European automotive supplier companies and 20 national associations, providing EU-level policy advocacy, industry intelligence, and networking events across electrification, connectivity, and sustainability priorities.

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: CLEPA generates revenue through membership fees from corporate members, associate members, and national trade associations. The association provides advocacy, networking, intelligence, and events to members.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CLEPA is a Brussels-based non-profit trade association representing over 3,000 European automotive supplier companies. It provides policy advocacy towards EU institutions, industry networking events and conferences, market intelligence publications, and an online member community platform (CLEPA Plaza) to support the European automotive supply industry.

Product overview

CLEPA (European Association of Automotive Suppliers) is an industry association, not a product company. It provides a portfolio of services including industry intelligence (publications, data digests, industry spotlights, pulse checks), events (Innovation Awards, Materials Regulations and Sustainability Event, Aftermarket Conference), an online member forum (CLEPA Plaza), policy advocacy (position papers), and participation in EU research projects. The organization serves over 3,000 automotive supply companies across Europe, advocating for sustainable, innovative, and competitive mobility solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CLEPA Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.7 million direct EU jobs represented
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2024Joint initiative with VDA (German Automotive Association) to publish a Business Partner Code of Conduct addressing complexities of the automotive supply chain. The code establishes common standards towards business ethics, working conditions, human rights, health and safety, environmental leadership and supply chain due diligence for business partners at all tiers.
• ERASMUS+ TRIREME Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 April 2024European Commission funded €4 million grant to launch 32-partner consortium across 15 countries. Project focuses on digital and green skills for future mobility. CLEPA supports identification of skills gaps and is partner of Automotive Skills Alliance.
• ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2018Joint position papers on EU policy matters including Plastics Strategy, representing shared interests of automakers and suppliers on regulatory matters affecting the automotive industry.
• Automotive Skills AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinating platform for TRIREME project, focused on addressing skills challenges in automotive ecosystem transition.
• European Commission - CCAM PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership on Connected and Automated Driving under EU Framework Programmes. CLEPA participates in CCAM Partnership for next-generation connected mobility architectures.
• European Commission - 2ZERO PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU road-transport relevant R&I partnership promoting zero-emission mobility, supporting industrial uptake of novel technologies.
• European Commission - BATT4EU PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU battery research and innovation partnership, crucial for establishing full EU battery supply chain.
• EEA4CCAMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Association for ACES and CCAM - step towards realizing software-defined vehicle through connected mobility architectures.
• PULSE and Pre-LSDemominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiatives supporting next-generation electric and connected mobility in Europe, addressing key technological and societal challenges.
• Roland BergercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic consulting partnership for landmark studies including 'Made in Europe' threshold analysis (70% European content achievable), providing data-driven insights for policy advocacy.
• McKinsey & CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBi-annual Pulse Check survey providing comprehensive perspectives on European automotive supply industry's business climate, trends, challenges and opportunities. Over 130 responses from suppliers.
• Boston Consulting Group (BCG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Aftermarket 2030 study identifying 13 trends shaping the industry. BCG provides exclusive previews at CLEPA Aftermarket Conferences.
• PwC Strategy&coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned for EV transition employment impact study showing mixed technology approach could deliver 50% CO2 reduction while maintaining jobs.
• SDCM (Association of Automotive Parts Distributors and Producers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish national association co-organizer of CLEPA 2024 General Assembly in Warsaw, representing 7th largest exporter of vehicle parts globally.
• CEPA CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of associations across diverse sectors advocating for EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, fostering innovation and market access.
• Antwerp Declaration for an Industrial DealcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEPA Secretary General Benjamin Krieger co-signed with 1000+ industry leaders from energy-intensive sectors advocating for EU industrial policy improvements.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ACEA - European Automobile Manufacturers' Association: ACEA represents Europe's automakers (OEMs) and operates as the closest peer to CLEPA on the supplier side of the value chain. CLEPA and ACEA already co-publish joint position papers on EU policy, reflecting their parallel and complementary roles in Brussels.
• VDA - Verband der Automobilindustrie: VDA is the German automotive industry association representing both OEMs and suppliers. CLEPA already co-developed a Business Partner Code of Conduct with VDA, making it the most operationally comparable peer despite VDA's national and OEM-inclusive scope.
• FIGIEFA - International Federation of Automotive Aftermarket Distributors: FIGIEFA is the European federation representing automotive aftermarket distributors and parts sellers. It overlaps with CLEPA on aftermarket policy and data access, and both advocate to EU institutions on vehicle data, parts regulation, and right-to-repair.

Broad incumbents

• MEMA - Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association: MEMA is the leading US trade association for vehicle parts manufacturers and aftermarket suppliers. It is the closest North American equivalent to CLEPA, serving a similar membership profile and offering advocacy, intelligence, and events.
• JAMA - Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association: JAMA represents Japan's automakers and is a key non-EU industry association engaging with European policy on automotive standards. It serves a comparable advocacy function for manufacturers operating in global automotive value chains.
• OICA - International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers: OICA is the global trade association of national automotive manufacturer associations, including ACEA, JAMA, and KAMA. It operates at a higher level than CLEPA but performs the same advocacy and standards-coordination function for the broader automotive ecosystem.

Regional players

• PFA - French Automotive Suppliers Association (Fédération des Equipementiers): PFA is the French automotive industry platform coordinating OEMs, suppliers, and mobility actors. It is a national-level peer to CLEPA in France and a member of CLEPA's wider ecosystem of 20 national trade associations.
• Auto Industry UK: Auto Industry UK represents UK-based automotive manufacturers and suppliers. It is a comparable national trade body to the associations inside CLEPA's network and engages on overlapping regulatory topics such as electrification and trade policy.

Emerging players

• MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers Association: MEMA's aftermarket-focused division provides part-level supplier representation in North America, comparable to CLEPA's aftermarket advocacy on the €226 billion European aftermarket. Useful as a peer for benchmarking aftermarket-specific programs and Pulse Checks.

Others

• Roland Berger: Roland Berger is a strategic consulting partner of CLEPA and authored the 'Made in Europe' threshold analysis referenced by CLEPA's policy advocacy. As an ecosystem enabler rather than a trade association, it provides CLEPA with data and analytical capabilities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/CLEPA_eu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clepa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about european association of automotive suppliers