Magneto IT Solutions and Shopify to Host Automotive Leaders Dinner in Birmingham

An invitation-only evening to discuss commerce modernisation, AI agents, and the EV shift with leaders in the automotive aftermarket.

The automotive aftermarket is facing some important decisions. Businesses are rethinking their commerce platforms, exploring what AI can realistically do and preparing for changes in parts demand as electric vehicles become more common.

These decisions can’t be made based on technology trends alone. They require practical insight from people who understand the challenges of running an automotive business.

That’s why we’re joining forces with Shopify to host an exclusive Automotive Executive Dinner on 10 November 2026 at Hotel du Vin, Birmingham.

In the evening, executives from automotive aftermarket manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and specialist retailers will meet for open discussions on the future of automotive commerce. Instead of organising another event which consists mainly of presentations, we are providing a chance for decision-makers to share their experiences, question their assumptions and talk about what is actually working.

The industry’s scale makes these discussions particularly relevant. According to SMMT, the UK automotive aftermarket supports more than 42 million vehicles. At the same time, Gartner’s 2026 research found that 45% of B2B buyers used AI during a recent purchase. Together, these figures highlight the importance of accurate product data, modern commerce systems and the growing role of AI in purchasing decisions.

Three Conversations That Matter to the Automotive Aftermarket

The event is structured around three subjects which are already influencing decisions in the industry.

Commerce Modernisation: Moving Beyond Legacy Systems

Many car manufacturers still use old platforms, which makes it difficult to manage complex B2B pricing, large product catalogues and relationships with trade customers. We will examine how businesses can modernise their commerce operations without abandoning the processes and systems they currently depend on.

AI Agents: What Agentic Commerce Means in Practice

AI is currently influencing how customers search for parts, compare options, and decide to make a purchase. But what does this mean for an industry where accurate fitment, product knowledge and stock availability are essential? We will examine where AI agents can make a practical contribution and where human expertise is still required.

The EV Shift: Preparing for Changing Aftermarket Requirements

As electric vehicles become more common, businesses selling aftermarket products should consider how changing vehicle technology will affect their product lines, customers’ needs, and future operations.

Learning from Automotive Businesses That Have Been Through the Change

One of the evening’s highlights will be direct input from people in the automotive industry on how they’re addressing these challenges in their companies.

Amit Sharma, CEO of Vanmatic, will join us to discuss the company’s transition from a custom B2B platform to Shopify Plus. The discussion will cover the reasons for the move, its impact on trade account management and bulk ordering and the lessons learned during the process.

We shall also have Barney Dines, CEO of the Heritage Parts Centre, joining us to talk about Agentic Commerce in practice. Barney will share his views on how AI agents could help with parts identification, improve fitment accuracy, and make specialist knowledge more accessible to buyers.

These discussions, alongside Shopify, will offer a more detailed look at how the AI features of modern commerce platforms are being put into practice to meet real automotive business needs.

Why We’re Bringing This Conversation to Birmingham

At Magneto IT Solutions, we work with automotive businesses that face complex commerce challenges, from fragmented systems and manual ordering to product data management and customer-specific pricing.

We’ve seen that while technology can address many of these challenges, the right approach depends on understanding the business first.

“There’s a lot of interest in AI across the automotive aftermarket, but businesses are also dealing with everyday challenges around their commerce platforms, product data and operations,” says Pritesh Vegad, Director at Magneto IT Solutions. “We wanted to bring industry leaders together to have an open discussion about these issues. With Shopify and leaders from Vanmatic and Heritage Parts Centre joining us, it’s an opportunity to learn from real experiences and explore what makes sense for the industry going forward.”

Our goal is to make this a valuable evening for the people shaping the future of automotive commerce, whether they’re considering a platform migration, evaluating AI adoption or preparing their businesses for the next phase of industry change.

Explore the Event

About Magneto IT Solutions

At Magneto IT Solutions, we help manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers modernise their digital commerce operations. With over 15 years of experience, 250+ specialists, and more than 400 commerce stores launched, we specialise in enterprise eCommerce, platform modernisation, system integration, and AI-powered commerce solutions.

Our work in the automotive aftermarket addresses industry-specific requirements, including B2B ordering, parts discovery, product information management, and operational efficiency.

Website: https://magnetoitsolutions.com/uk/