The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders will launch a new service, Automotive Supplier Finder, with a two-month free trial.

"This is essentially a match-making service for buyers and suppliers to build and develop relationships," said Yung Tran, manager of e-business for the SMMT.

Designed around the SMMT's automotive database, the system draws on information on thousands of UK firms, product classifications and industry contacts. The SMMT is to launch the system in phases, the first, UK-wide, followed by the continental EU countries and then Eastern Europe and further afield.