OREANDA-NEWS. August 22, 2016. In response to the unprecedented transformation and growth in the auto industry, Cushman & Wakefield has launched an Automotive Specialty Practice Group led by Jeffrey Green, a managing director within the firm’s Global Occupier Services business. The new group includes a global, cross-discipline team of experienced and accomplished real estate and business advisors to auto manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and retailers.

Cushman & Wakefield is the first commercial real estate service firm to the market with a global comprehensive Auto SPG offering. Its mission is to deeply understand and address the distinctive challenges of the automotive sector from labor issues, logistics, infrastructure, technology, credits and incentives, to the unique requirements of the real estate itself.

“The world is on the verge of an Automotive Revolution, sparked by disruptive, technology-driven trends such as diverse mobility, autonomous driving, electrification and connectivity,” Green noted. “We believe these trends will result in an increased need for commercial real estate globally. In addition to inherent growth within existing automotive and supply manufacturers, we see emerging market opportunities in such markets as China, India, Brazil and South Africa, as well as the entry of non-traditional players like Google, Apple, Microsoft and Panasonic.”

Cushman & Wakefield has the client base and expertise to offer a comprehensive global specialty practice, according to Green. The firm already works with dozens of automotive industry clients around the world, including major names like Toyota, BMW, FCA, Mercedes Benz, Magna International, Faraday Futures, Hyundai, JLR, and many others.

“Our professionals are leaders in leasing, purchasing and selling automotive-use properties – involved with millions of square feet of transactions a year – with expertise that goes beyond local real estate markets,” Green said. “What differentiates us is our collaborative approach and diverse expertise which enables us to assist companies along the entire supply chain, from production to point of sale.” He noted that the Auto SPG will work in cohesion with other Cushman & Wakefield specialty practice groups such as Technology, Ports & Intermodal, Global Supply Chain, 3PL and Build to Suit.

“There is no other industry more primed for Cushman & Wakefield to dominate than automotive,” noted the firm’s John Morris, executive managing director and industrial services lead for the Americas. “Our industrial platform is well established on a global basis, with a deep commitment and ongoing investment in growing our presence in key markets for this vital industry. Under Jeff’s leadership, we have the opportunity to establish ourselves as the leading multi-services real estate provider for this market.”

About Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield is a leading global real estate services firm that helps clients transform the way people work, shop, and live. Our 43,000 employees in more than 60 countries help investors optimize the value of their real estate by combining our global perspective and deep local knowledge with an impressive platform of real estate solutions. Cushman & Wakefield is among the largest commercial real estate services firms with revenue of \\$5 billion across core services of agency leasing, asset services, capital markets, facility services (C&W Services), global occupier services, investment & asset management (DTZ Investors), project & development services, tenant representation, and valuation & advisory. To learn more, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com or follow @CushWake on Twitter.