When should you plan your automotive PR strategy for 2026?

If 2025 is anything to go by, then next year promises to be a turbulent time for the motoring sector, which is why it is important for businesses to start planning their automotive PR strategy now.

While there have been challenges, there are also plenty of opportunities to use PR and marketing in the next twelve months to boost brand awareness, increase sales, retain and attract new customers, and launch new products and services.

PR is more important than ever

The automotive industry, whether including car makers, technology developers, suppliers, repairers, fleets or retailers, is facing more change than it has ever done in its history.

The list of challenges includes competition for market, technology advances, complex supply chains, sustainability and government regulations.

This means it is vital that your voice is heard using the power of PR and marketing that places businesses in front of their primary audiences using a variety of proven media channels.

Now is the time for 2026 automotive PR strategy planning

Preparation is key for successful PR and marketing, which can employ a variety of tactics ranging from events,  campaigns, advertising, to awards and sponsorship.

Bringing various strands together for a cohesive approach requires strategic thinking, so that no opportunities are missed and for KPIs to be set.

All activities and targets should be linked to your business goals, whether that’s short, medium or long term, and what areas of the business you want to focus on, such as engaging with key stakeholders, recruiting new talent or growing the company.

Which PR and marketing activity is best for your business?

One element of an automotive PR strategy is to determine which PR and marketing activity will provide the maximum return on investment.

There’s so much that organisations can be doing, including email marketing, digital advertising, plus SEO. And that’s not even to mention social media.

But depending on the business, and the stage it is at, there should be different priorities assigned for each of these activities – especially when resources are limited.

This makes understanding where to start, and how to measure activity, vitally important.

Working with an expert partner is key

Knowing what to do, and how to do it right, can seem like a daunting prospect.

This is why working with a professional PR and marketing partner in Q4 of this year is so important to put in place the correct building blocks for 2026.

Leave it too late and your competitors will have stolen a march, possibly leading to your business making rash decisions with unwanted consequences.

Plan now for 2026

If your organisation needs help planning its automotive PR strategy for 2026, then we’d love to hear from you.

Our dedicated and professional team is a powerful mix of trained journalists and certified marketing and PR professionals.

For a free, no obligation chat, please get in touch.