Automotive industry strategy roles

[mario64]

Hi,

I've always wanted to work in the car industry, but my desire to have an interesting and well paid career has so far got in the way up to now. I'm looking for some advice form the PHers in the industry, on what I could do to perhaps realise this goal.

I've been working as a strategy consultant for a couple of years, and the natural next step is often to join the strategy team of a multi-national. This can be in any industry, but tends to be something they have experience in. I'd much rather see myself in the car industry, most people are much happier when they are passionate about what they're doing, and I'd love to be involved in designing, building and selling cars.

Where do the major manufacturers base their strategy teams? In Britain I'd expect people like Lotus and Aston Martin have some strategy, but I'd kind of expect the major manufacturers (GM, Toyota, VW etc.) do all their strategy centrally. Does anyone know what UK options there might be, and what kind of contacts I need to be making?

Thanks,

[FPC]

I would expect strategy to be carried out centrally at headquarters with local offices being essentially distributors with no real say over future product development.

I'm sure you're aware that now is not the best time to be joining the automotive industry!

[mario64]

I expect most strategy is done centrally, but suspect there are some local or regional teams. Do all the Japanese manufacturers really run their European strategy from Japan? I know that many of them do their US strategies from LA.

I wouldn't agree that now is a bad time for joining the car industry. There might be huge budget cuts is design and production, but the industry is investing heavily in developing a new business model. We've certainly seen fees from Auto clients increase massively in the last year or so. Plus there are all sorts of new entrants (Tesla, Tatt, even G-Wiz...) experimenting with new formats. I think it could be a really good time to start building a career!

[FPC]

I think you might find that there's plenty of spending externally but very little by way of hires. I think most places will have a headcount freeze at the moment.

[T89 Callan]

mario64 said:

I've always wanted to work in the car industry, but my desire to have an interesting and well paid career has so far got in the way up to now.

Good way to insult the people you are asking for help from.

[Pabl0]

Look for automotive consultancy companies - there are a few in this country.