Automotive Jobs.....

  • Thread starter Thread starter McLaren
  • 28 comments
  • 1,406 views
McLaren

McLaren

Premium
Messages
46,337
United States
Texas
As someone who graduated high school a year ago, and someone who loves cars (like all of you), I've been searching for jobs in the Automotive industry.
But not just any jobs, jobs were you're close to the high-performance brands.

Right now, I have a few contacts with Lamborghini de SpA, however, I'll need 3 more years of college to get a serious application in.

So, my question is, how on earth do you get a job near these companies like Audi, VW, Mercedes, Porsche, etc.?

The closest I can get so far is working at Used Exotic Dealers, but there are zero to none in Texas that offer what I want. The job that requires the lowest requirements on my dream job list is a Car Salesmen. I hear you can go to the dealers, and they'll train you, but is this true? Many say, they want someone with a high school graduation. I feel I can do this as I do have considerably more knowledge on Lamborghinis than some of the salesmen.:sick:

But what about those jobs as someone who just drives the cars for the companies (which is awesome!). No places seem to give me enough detail on the requirements for jobs like:
Test Driving
Car Salesmen
Manufacturing (Not designing, putting together)

These are the jobs I am most interested in, and as in my old "empty feeling" thread, I was told to pursue something I liked. As much as I love Racing, that's just extremely hard to get into whether you be a driver or a fuel man.

Ok, so to sum it up, does anyone have info on these 3 areas for any manufacturer? Ferrari won't accept me because of my young age and "lack" of knowledge, and many tell me to check dealers who in-turn tell me to contact the head of the location.
 
Move to northern New Jersey. About 5-10 minutes away from me are the US Corporate Headquarters for Mercedes and BMW. As well as a tech center for Mercedes.

I think theres another major German company that has some office here, can't remember where though.
 
My advice to you is to find a company you want to work for then go to a dealership of that company. If there isn't one near you call one. Ask for a manager or an owner if it's a smaller dealership and tell them what you want to do with your life. Ask him if he knows how you can make that happen. Maybe he can give you a number at the corperate office of the company or tell you of a school that will train you to do what you want. Be professional and sound like enthusiastic but not like teenager enthusiastic. Stay away from showing off your knowledge about the company and try to show your passion for it instead. You are probably going to get strung along on this nice long line of telephone numbers that each place you call gives you. Call those numbers until finally you get the answers you want. If you really want to make something of yourself in life and do what YOU want to do you can't half ass it and it's going to be hard work, but when you do what you want to do everyday of your life everyday is a vacation.

Honestly you are going to have to start at the bottom. No one starts at the top. Of course Ferrari will say no. They make the most prestigeous sports cars in the world. If you were them would you hire a kid with no experience?

Also I wouldn't recommend being a car salesman. It's horribly long hours and extremely stressful. You also have to be damn good to make a decent living.

Good luck and I hope you pursue your dream.
 
Car dealerships are not that related to the actual manufacturer, my suggestion to you is to study mechanical engineer. If you want them to hire you without a degree, then you'd have to have at least 5-10 years in car mechanics experience i.e: shop mechanic or maybe experience as a proffesional driver. Because what they look for is why and how would you be useful to them...I say this for experience mate ;), I used to work at various dealerships of a huge group here in NY, and I got a chance to talk to the owner of the company; and he told me that the only way to get to work at a manufacturer through a dealership, was to get a high range in your position, like general district manager and then, go for the executive positions and get out of the whole sales department, then eventually, you'll get to work for the car company. However, if you want to work as a tester or designer or anything else rather than an executive position...then yeah, you'll have to study at least 2-3 years in a mechanics/electronics program, minimum


IMADreamer
Also I wouldn't recommend being a car salesman. It's horribly long hours and extremely stressful. You also have to be damn good to make a decent living.
Click to expand...

You are absolutely right, I used to work 6 days a week from 7am to 10pm! and the stress is just overwhelming, it also depends on what dealership you work at, some have better commisions than others...and don't think that if you work at a BMW, M-B or Porche dealership you're gonna get huge commisions...no, because the best commisions are found in the dealerships where is hard to sell a car, they use this as an incentive for salespeople to sell the freaking car; mostly in a competitive market like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Hyundai, or Chevy...most people who buys expensive cars know what they want as they step inside a dealership.

and managers are going to be your worst nightmare, even if you're a good salesman..trust me.

Ciao...
 
*McLaren*


So, my question is, how on earth do you get a job near these companies like Audi, VW, Mercedes, Porsche, etc.?
Click to expand...

If you want a shot at those companies, I suggest you go to my school. UTI

http://www.uticorp.com/

They even got a campus in Texas for you!

Those companies you listed are also in the program IF you qualify ONLY! Your grades have to be high, good driving record, no DUI, VERY GOOD attendance record, job experiance(well this really helps you). Then you must go to an interview and they will tell you right away if they want you or not. If not, too bad.

Trust me, if you can make it into one of those program, you are like 99% gaurenteed(spelling) to get hired before or shortly after you graduate.

Here is a quick page on UTI's MSAT program.

http://www.uticorp.com/go/schools/uti/manufacturer/
 
O I forgot to mention, the autmotive industry is growing very fast and NEED more technicians every year. The job is in demand and pays good. Well, it pays good when you know how to diagnose and fix the car from bumper to bumper. Plus you get the advantage of FLAT RATE pay at dealership too! 👍 If you can beat the clock often, you will make alot of money.
 
*McLaren*

But what about those jobs as someone who just drives the cars for the companies (which is awesome!). No places seem to give me enough detail on the requirements for jobs like:
Test Driving
Car Salesmen
Manufacturing (Not designing, putting together)
Click to expand...
Test Driving: Not a job you walk into as a n00b.
Car Salesman: Need experience.
Manufacturing: Done by robots.

Thems the requirements right there. I'd say finishing some sort of secondary education is your best bet to get a "good" job in the auto industry.
 
kylehnat
Test Driving: Not a job you walk into as a n00b.
Car Salesman: Need experience.
Manufacturing: Done by robots.

Thems the requirements right there. I'd say finishing some sort of secondary education is your best bet to get a "good" job in the auto industry.
Click to expand...
But manufacturing still requires human input. And not all companies have resorted to robots (though most have).

Little, thank you for that link. I am most certainly going to check into the school. Will it affect my current schooling?
 
I don't know how those guys sell cars for living. Basically, unless you are Scion or Saturn salesman, you succeed by screwing people, to put it simply. Your knowledge on cars does not really help you sell the cars. It's stuff like how to rip people off on trade-ins, loans, aftermarket options(under-the-car coating, stain resistor, etc.), gap insurance, that helps you as a salesman. You have to be OK with telling yourself that, this is only a job. If I don't rip them off, somebody else will..... which is true. It's part of the biz. :D I have heard from million salesman(especially from rookies), that it is the toughest job, or most stressful job they have ever worked. It's not for everybody.

Edit - My personal recommendation: Mechanic job. School is shorter than college. Your employer will let you use the shop(and you already have all the tools :drool: ) to work on your car. Plus, many mechanics have gone on to own shop of their own. Many of them make killing by running repair shops. If you don't mind getting dirty, I think it's worth looking into. :)
 
Here in the UK you can get placements with car companies for all sorts of roles from the age of 18, Ferrari in Manchester take on apprenticeships every year. I have a mate who works for Lamborghini all he does is takes cars from Stockport to Birmingham or vice versa, that's his job, driving Lamborghini's to and from Birmingham every day. We have an orbganisation called remit training, they basically get peopel into the auto industry in all areas, manufacture, sales, repairs, bodywork etc, is there nowhere you can go for an apprenticeship where you live?
 
kylehnat
Car Salesman: Need experience.
Click to expand...

Not really, I started as a newbie and ended up selling 15-18 cars a month..they don't care if you have experience or not, if you're not selling, see ya later alligator!!! that easy.


Ciao...
 
*McLaren*
But manufacturing still requires human input. And not all companies have resorted to robots (though most have).

Little, thank you for that link. I am most certainly going to check into the school. Will it affect my current schooling?
Click to expand...

From what I understand, UTI's credentials won't count for any credit toward college. But still, we are regulated by the school board of how many hours students are to stay in school if we want to be funded by the government. So maybe it does count. I honestly never really asked myself that. :nervous:

Anyways, the normal program is 1 year long full of automotive classes ranging from Basic Engines all the way to advanced electrical component diagnosis. Once you are done with that, I recommend taking a program called "FORD FACT". That Ford program is 16 weeks long and is designed to make you WAYYYY better in electrical testing and diagnosis than the average UTI graduate who dont take it. Those manufacturer recruits don't require it, but in reality they ARE looking for people who went to the regular program and go to FORD FACT.

The downside? cost....The regular program for me is 24K. When I added FORD FACT into it, the school added 6K to my tab. So my parents are paying 30K what now for my schooling. :nervous:

There is also a new Toyota program that just opened up in Chicago, but I don't know much about it right now. I only know that its an elective where you just pay to get in. I heard the downside of that program is that they don't teach you the hydrib stuff. You can only get Hybrid certified by requesting it when you start working for Toyota/Lexus.

Think carefully yo. 👍 If I were you, I would go to the school. It is worth every penny spent, because I know I did when I got independant shops offering me a job when I am done. :sly: Too bad I am not aiming for them anyways...its all about the dealerships!
 
live4speed
Here in the UK you can get placements with car companies for all sorts of roles from the age of 18, Ferrari in Manchester take on apprenticeships every year. I have a mate who works for Lamborghini all he does is takes cars from Stockport to Birmingham or vice versa, that's his job, driving Lamborghini's to and from Birmingham every day. We have an orbganisation called remit training, they basically get peopel into the auto industry in all areas, manufacture, sales, repairs, bodywork etc, is there nowhere you can go for an apprenticeship where you live?
Click to expand...


I can't seem to find any place that'll take me seriously besides Mercedes and BMW, but they have only told me in the past that it may depend on a dealership's rules and ways.

I have been offered apprenticeship (or internship as my friend put it) into Lamborghini de SpA after college, however, that will depend directly on what classes I take, and how I do (aka, a perfect score student).
 
The thing that car salesmen really know how to do is sell cars. All the facts about a certain car are extraneous.

They usually know the safety, the number of doors, power. But other than that, nothings a given.

At a VW dealer, I asked one of the salesmen what the displacement was on a diesel jetta. He just said "I'm not sure I'll have to check that for you." I responded with something like 'isn't it around a 1.6?"

He comes back with:

"Ohh you mean the literage, no it's a 1.9"

Hmm. . . literage.
 
Yeah, literage don't you use that phrase in your everyday life :rolleyes:.
 
A friend of mine was always into cars. He kind of built his way up, he started with gas stations, then balancing tires, then mechanic work, next thing you know he's working the dyno room for a performance shop that is putting money on him in beginner drifting competitions. This is all a self-made 19 year old with nothing more than a highschool diploma and a 4,000$ Nissan. Who knows where he'll be in 5 years, or 20 years...

You won't start working for Lamborghini right out of school, you have to build it all up from the ground, with a base education, hard work (you will always have to go through some shtty jobs), word of mouth, and a bit of luck. If you want to go through manufacturing, Engineering and other degrees are probably necessary.
 
I know people that started working for Lamborghini at the age of 18, and I mean working with the cars not cleaning the staff toilets, the key to getting into a copmpany quick is an apprenticeship, but you can also build yourself up and get into a company based on experience, takes longer but doesn't require the college, whereas an apprenticeship is low pay, and you have to do a course for xx number of years. Both have pro's and con's.
 
*McLaren*
I can't seem to find any place that'll take me seriously besides Mercedes and BMW, but they have only told me in the past that it may depend on a dealership's rules and ways.

I have been offered apprenticeship (or internship as my friend put it) into Lamborghini de SpA after college, however, that will depend directly on what classes I take, and how I do (aka, a perfect score student).
Click to expand...


You better take it. It's a foot in the door and that's all you can ask for really. After that it is up to you to work hard and prove you are fit for them.
 
IMADreamer
You better take it. It's a foot in the door and that's all you can ask for really. After that it is up to you to work hard and prove you are fit for them.
Click to expand...
True, but a few factors still play into it.
I'll move to Italy to be closer to the factory, if the man who I will be training under is still there, and of course, grades. Forunately, I owe this man a great deal of gratitude as he talked Lamborghini to letting me do this.:indiff:
 
Get a job at a performance car garage, maybe a specialist company, and seeing as many of those guys track theyre cars they will require engineers and technicians at the track days with them, so thats how you could start your career in motorsport.

This is what I was told by a automotive recruitment agency btw. You could also get apprenticeships with bmw, mercedes, audi ferrari etc and just start from the bottom and work your way up the ladder from there.
 
*McLaren*
But what about those jobs as someone who just drives the cars for the companies (which is awesome!).
Click to expand...

You're barking up the wrong tree, in my opinion. Automotive Journalism is the career path you're looking for -- writing for magazines like Road and Track, Car and Driver, etc.

That's the career I'm going for, anyway. :)
 
Point taken. I've always enjoyed writing, though there's a big difference between writing about something I like and doing a book report. :lol:
 
I work at a Ferrari parts supplier. I'm 16. Yesterday I was parked next to an AMV8 Vantage, and today I was parked next to a 575 SuperAmerica. With a 6-speed. It's quite nice, really. :D
 
Automotive journalism, I could write the articles and you could take me with you on test drives.
That's also what I want to do, if not a car designer, Wolfe.
You get to drive exotic cars every day, and constantly drive different cars on lease for longterm testing.
Think of it! The newest Ferarri today, the inside cut at the Detroit autoshow tommorow, the option of taking a Lancer Evo, among other cars, home for a few weeks of longterm testing.
Dream job!
 
Indeed, that is something that I'd like to know more qualifications for.

I'm a writer, a driver, and a Car Enthusiast. Little else appeals quite as much as driving tons of different cars, then writing down what is good and bad about them, and getting paid for it.
 
Car designer is something that is so incredibly unattainable. Even with a tip-top education, finding a job is very hard. There are only about 3000 such positions worldwide. Out of the tens of thousands of students out there who are enrolled or have completed a sufficient industrial/transportational design course, maybe 2% of them will land stable jobs. It is incredibly tight, and the field is flooded with aspiring future-Bangle visionnaries. It's something that you have to really, really be determined to do, motivationally and especially financially to tackle. It's better to realise this early and decide on something else, or if you've got your heart set, make sure you've got a back-door plan to fall back on before you've dug yourself hundreds of thousands in debt and no hope in sight (I'll be back in 6 years to tell you guys how I've done).

(this was addressed to the general public regarding this job post, not just Mclarn)

And in other random automotive job news, I just got a job as a security person for a Ferrari evening for the Canadian Grand Prix. Nothing special, I get the normal ride there in a F-car (hopefully I'll jump into an older model, not the black Testarossa like usual), the high-class dinner party (two years ago I met Eddie Jordan there), a free sweater or something, 15$/hour, but I get to tell people not to sit on pricey cars that aren't mine (and we all know I'll be checkin over my shoulder for a local Elise driver). Easy, hopefully fun, involves historical cars, and it looks tidy on a CV.
 
Hey, anyone in Australia, in particular Brisbane or SEQ, know of any apprenticeships or courses going for a school leaver in the area of diesel mechanic or the like?????
I'm seeking something like that because it can bring in the goodies :)
 
I'm an HS senior right now and going to a 4-yr or 5-yr BS + MB engineering program. My dream is to work as an engineer for a german manufacturer. So far, I have gathered that one has to get a degree in mechanical engineering, which does look fun, and getting into the conpany somehow are crutial to success. Is there more I should do to acquire a design job in their offices in Germany?
 

Latest Posts

Back