Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Automotive Jobs, Occupations and Careers

Automotive Jobs

The automotive industry ranges from the manufacturing of motor vehicles and their components to the retail, repair and servicing of all kinds of vehicles. Automotive companies manufacture and/or distribute vehicles, including passenger cars, trucks, locomotives, motorcycles, commercial ships, pleasure boats, and/or recreational vehicles.

Automotive occupations includes automotive engineers, designers and technologists, automotive mechanics, tooling engineers, leasing managers, parts managers, service managers, warranty administrators and dealership staff.

Anyone whose car or light truck has broken down knows the importance of the jobs of automotive service technicians and mechanics. The ability to diagnose the source of a problem quickly and accurately requires good reasoning ability and a thorough knowledge of automobiles. Many technicians consider diagnosing hard-to-find troubles one of their most challenging and satisfying duties.

The work of automotive service technicians and mechanics has evolved from mechanical repair to a high technology job. Today, integrated electronic systems and complex computers run vehicles and measure their performance while on the road. Technicians must have an increasingly broad base of knowledge about how vehicles’ complex components work and interact, as well as the ability to work with electronic diagnostic equipment and computer-based technical reference materials.

Automotive service technicians and mechanics use their high-tech skills to inspect, maintain and repair automobiles and light trucks that have gasoline engines. The increasing sophistication of automotive technology now requires workers who can use computerized shop equipment and work with electronic components while maintaining their skills with traditional hand tools.

Diesel service technicians and mechanics work on diesel-powered trucks, buses and equipment.

Motorcycle mechanics and small engine mechanics repair and service motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds, and, occasionally, small all-terrain vehicles.

Automotive Related Industries

• Engineering
• Transport

Los Angeles Times

Chinese trade practices killing US automotive jobs, reports say Los Angeles Times By Matt Stevens California is at risk of losing more than 70000 jobs in the US auto supply chain unless China curtails its “predatory” trading practices, the Alliance for American Manufacturing said Tuesday. The left-leaning alliance announced the ... and more »

Commentary: When Republican politicians hate jobs Jacksonville Journal Courier Why did Senate and House Republicans not applaud the recovery of one of our largest manufacturers and the recent gain in automotive jobs? Mitt Romney offered one clue in the Republican debate on Nov. 9, when he said, “They gave General Motors to the ... and more »

Pulse quickens in Mich. manufacturing Bridge Michigan A separate forecast on automotive jobs by the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor is even more bullish. It predicts Michigan will add 15000 auto assembly and parts jobs this year. That's likely to make Michigan even more dependent on autos and ... and more »

Auto boom: 15000 new jobs in Michigan? Detroit Free Press Automotive jobs are coming back, especially in Michigan, but no one expects to see the peak of 2000 anytime soon, if ever again. The US new vehicle market is expected to grow 41% from 2010 to 2015, forecasting firm IHS Automotive says. and more »