Automotive and Mobility: OEM and Tier 1 B2B Merch Programs

Category Overview

We serve a wide range of automotive companies — from large OEMs (Skoda Auto, TPCA, Hyundai Nosovice) and Tier 1 suppliers (Bosch, Continental, Zetor) to Tier 2 firms and transport operators. The branded merch range we cover in this category includes:

• OEM dealer programs
• Tier 1 internal merch (employees, assembly lines)
• Launch campaigns (new model releases)
• Conference merch (Geneva, Frankfurt, Brno auto shows)
• Industrial certifications (IATF 16949, VDA)
• Gift sets for VIP customers

Czech and EU Context

Czech and European regulatory backdrop. The standard VAT rate of 21% applies to merch products in the Czech Republic. Since January 2025, mandatory e-invoicing (ISDOC) is in force for all B2B transactions in the country. For the automotive segment, compliance with the following standards is essential: IATF 16949 (quality management system for automotive), VDA 6.3 (process audit), ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management). Certificates such as GOTS, GRS, FSC, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and EU Ecolabel are recognised across the EU. The automotive category sits under strict industrial norms and we operate in full alignment with each client's internal rules.

Pricing and Frameworks

Pricing and financial frameworks. Quotations are issued in CZK or EUR with 21% VAT. For enterprise clients (Skoda Auto, TPCA, Hyundai) we offer framework agreements with volume-based discounts — starting at 8% for annual spend of 250,000 CZK and reaching 18% for annual spend of 2,000,000 CZK. New clients pay a 30% deposit on proforma invoice plus 70% before dispatch; established B2B clients receive 30–60 day payment terms. We accept SEPA bank transfers and card payments via Stripe. Invoices are issued in ISDOC format from January 2025 onward, as required. Standard price bands for the automotive category are 200–1,200 CZK net per unit for core products and 1,200–5,500 CZK net for premium gifts and VIP sets.

Lead Times

Lead times. The standard cycle for automotive merch is 8–12 working days from our Prague warehouse. Large volumes (10,000+ units) require 12–18 working days. Asia-imported goods need 10–14 weeks. Autumn and pre-Christmas periods extend lead times by an additional 1–2 weeks. We maintain a 10–15% stock buffer for established B2B clients. New-model launch campaigns (Skoda Octavia, Hyundai Tucson) typically need 14–20 weeks of preparation from brief to delivery.

Seasonal Planning

Seasonal planning. The automotive segment follows specific seasonal cycles — auto shows (spring: Geneva, Frankfurt; autumn: Paris, Munich), dealer meetings (spring, autumn), new-model launch campaigns (rolling), and year-end internal programs (November–December). For automotive companies, synchronise the merch campaign calendar ahead of time — 10–12 weeks for standard projects and 14–20 weeks for launch campaigns. Year-end dealer gifts should be ordered by the end of September.

Shipping and Logistics

Shipping and logistics. Central warehouse in Prague (the Prague-Hostivar district). Shipments arranged through Czech Post (Balik), PPL, Zasilkovna, GLS Czech Republic, DHL Czech Republic, DPD Czech Republic, UPS Czech Republic, and FedEx. Delivery time is 24–48 hours within the Czech Republic and 3–5 days across the EU. For automotive clients we handle delivery to production plants (Mlada Boleslav, Nosovice, Kolin), dealer networks (200+ dealers in the Czech Republic), and international destinations. Multi-address deliveries are available across Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Plzen, Liberec, Olomouc, and Mlada Boleslav.

What It Is

Automotive B2B merch covers branded products for vehicle manufacturers (OEMs), Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, dealer networks, and transport companies. The bulk of the volume is split between dealer merch (for the dealer network), internal programs (for production plant employees), launch campaigns (new models), conference merch (auto shows), and VIP gifts (for VIP customers and fleet managers).

For B2B clients in the automotive segment we deliver high volumes (5,000–50,000 units), strict quality (IATF 16949, VDA norms), and long-term partnership relationships. Each order goes through an extended approval process (quality, design, brand manager) — typically 5–10 additional working days versus the standard cycle.

The automotive segment emphasises visual quality (precise Pantone colours per the brand manual), production repeatability (consistent quality across the whole batch), and long-term sustainability of the relationship. Clients typically require documentation for internal audit, quality inspections, and ESG reporting.

For Skoda Auto, the automotive segment covers a wide range — from office branding (notepads, pens, mugs) through dealer merch (conference bags, hoodies, t-shirts) to premium VIP gifts (leather accessories, scale-model cars, gift baskets).

TPCA (Toyota Peugeot Citroen Automobile) operates as a joint venture between Toyota and PSA, which requires coordination with both head offices and documentation in English and French. The Hyundai Nosovice production plant places weight on regional coverage and communication with the Korean headquarters.

Bosch and Continental represent Tier 1 suppliers with a need for technical norms (IATF 16949, VDA 6.3) and consistent quality. Across all client types we work from the same product framework and adapt to the specific brief.

When to Order

Standard lead time for automotive merch is 8–12 working days from the Prague warehouse. Seasonal execution windows should be reserved ahead of time — auto shows (spring, autumn) require 14–16 weeks lead time, dealer meetings 10–12 weeks.

Launch campaigns for new models run on a 14–20 week cycle. Approval processes at large OEMs typically add 10–15 working days. Express 24–72 hour terms are available only for selected office products from the catalogue range.

The July–August holiday period extends production lead times by 1–2 weeks (production line shutdowns). For orders that need to be invoiced at year-end (December), execution must be complete by 20 December. Year-end dealer gifts should be ordered by the end of September.

Skoda Auto — spring dealer meeting in March, with delivery in February. TPCA — autumn auto show in September, with delivery in August. Hyundai — new-model launch, brief in June, delivery in September.

Bosch — internal programs for employees, quarterly fulfilment. Continental — dealer merch for 200+ dealers across the Czech Republic.

Specifications

Quality standards — AQL 1.0–1.5 inspection for automotive merch (stricter than the standard), AQL 1.0 for electronics, full visual inspection for premium packaging. Packaging — individual protective wraps for electronics, multi-pack for textiles, gift sets in recycled cardboard boxes (FSC certified).

Logistics — central warehouse in Prague (the Hostivar district), shipments via Czech Post (Balik), PPL, Zasilkovna, GLS, DHL, DPD, UPS, FedEx. Documentation — invoice with 21% VAT in CZK in ISDOC format, CMR, EUR1, IATF 16949 factory certificate.

Material certificates — GOTS, GRS, FSC, OEKO-TEX Standard 100. Branding and colour methods — Pantone Coated and Uncoated, CMYK with ICC FOGRA39, DTF, Madeira Polyneon embroidery, leather debossing.

Specifications for dealer merch — Pantone Coated/Uncoated for brand colours, minimum 300 dpi, AI/EPS/SVG. Materials for VIP gifts — leather, metal, ceramic, with OEKO-TEX and LFGB certificates.

Branding for internal programs — Pantone Aqua, DTF, embroidery — AQL 1.0–1.5. Packaging for VIP customers — gift boxes with brand logo debossing; CS/EN/DE labels.

Logistics for production plants — Prague-Hostivar warehouse, transport via contracted carriers (Czech Post / PPL / Zasilkovna / GLS / DHL / DPD / UPS / FedEx). Documentation for IATF — invoice with 21% VAT in ISDOC format, delivery note signed by the receiver, batch number for traceability.

Common Mistakes

Brief submitted too late — the client arrives two weeks before the auto show. Underestimating the OEM approval process — missing internal approvals extends the overall lead time.

Choosing an unsuitable decoration technique for premium materials — always run a test. Failure to follow the brand manual colours — digital prep and a physical sample are essential.

Ignoring the seasonality of auto shows and dealer meetings. Skipping the documentation required for an IATF audit.

Brief submitted too late for an auto show — place the order at least 14 weeks before the event. Wrong choice of decoration technique for leather — not every technique works on every material.

Underestimating the volume for the dealer network — order with a 10–15% reserve. Mixing up Pantone shades — Pantone Coated versus Uncoated.

Ignoring the factory's IATF certification — only certified factories. Ignoring the seasonality of auto shows — spring and autumn events require 14–16 weeks lead time.

Execution Process

Client brief — advisory support on product selection, MOQ, decoration techniques, and regulatory compliance. Design preparation — digital design (PDF/X-1a) and a physical sample.

Approval — the client approves the sample, Pantone colours, and technical specification. Quality approval — the client's internal review (quality, design, brand manager).

Production — manufacturing at an IATF 16949 certified factory with AQL inspection. Quality control — 5–10% spot check on the run, 100% visual inspection on premium orders.

Process for an auto show — brief → selection → digital design → physical sample → quality approval → production → inspection → delivery. Dealer merch starts with an analysis of the brand manual and definition of the Pantone palette.

For internal programs we prepare 2–3 design variants for the client to choose from. After approval we launch production with ongoing AQL inspection. VIP gifts go through 100% visual inspection on premium orders.

Dispatch to the dealer network uses contracted carriers (Czech Post / PPL / Zasilkovna / GLS / DHL / DPD / UPS / FedEx). Documentation for IATF — invoice with 21% VAT in ISDOC format, signed delivery note, batch number for traceability, archived for seven years.

Compliance and Certificates

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certificate for all textiles — class I or II. REACH — no SVHC above 0.1% w/w.

RoHS for electronics — heavy metal limits. GOTS for organic cotton — full chain-of-custody.

GRS for recycled polyester — at least 20% recycled content. FSC for paper and wood — certified renewable sources.

Automotive merch is delivered with an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certificate (class I or II). REACH compliance — no SVHC above 0.1% w/w.

RoHS for electronics such as USB drives and power banks — heavy metal limits. GOTS certification for organic cotton in environmental campaigns.

IATF 16949 certified production plants. Invoices with 21% VAT — from January 2025 mandatory in ISDOC format and archived for seven years.

Lifecycle

Short-term (1–3 months) — seasonal campaigns, auto shows. Medium-term (3–12 months) — dealer merch and internal programs.

Long-term (1–3 years) — fleet programs, ongoing merch. Continuous improvement — catalogue updated quarterly.

Lifecycle management — selection, preparation, production, storage, distribution. Sustainable lifecycle — recycled materials and certifications (GRS, GOTS, FSC).

In the short term, automotive merch powers auto show campaigns — lead time 8–12 weeks. In the medium term, dealer merch drives the dealer network — quarterly rotation, 10–15% stock buffer.

In the long term, internal programs sit inside retention programs — framework contract with discounts of 8–18%. Automotive branding in a sustainable lifecycle — recycled materials (GRS, GOTS, FSC) and a take-back program.

Conference merch — continuous improvement: the catalogue is updated quarterly. Launch programs — after-sales support: complaints handled within 3 working days, reprints 7–14 days.

Frequently Asked Questions