The automotive industry comprises a wide range of companies and organizations involved in the design, development, manufacturing, marketing, and selling of motor vehicles. It is one of the world’s largest industries by revenue.

Deloitte’s Women in Automotive Industry research was conducted between June and September 2020 and is based on the responses of 110 women working in the automotive industry.

Respondents came from organisations across the value chain in the United Kingdom, including original equipment manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and finance companies, and their roles ranged from apprentices through to senior leaders.

The United Kingdom, made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, is an island nation in north-western Europe. England – birthplace of Shakespeare and The Beatles – is home to the capital, London, a globally influential centre of finance and culture.

Key findings in the report:

• 68% of women have seen a positive change in the automotive industry’s attitude towards women employees in the last five years; but
• Half of women feel unprepared to navigate the future of the industry, and this is particularly prevalent in traditional back office functions;
• 40% would choose a different industry if they could go back; and 50% of women would leave the automotive industry altogether due to lack of promotion opportunities, organisational cultural norms, poor work-life balance and an uncertain industry future;
• 90% of women feel they are under-represented in leadership positions, with 42% believing an industry bias towards men still exists for leadership positions, driven by organisational cultural norms; and
• 57% of women do not see a career path to get to the level they want in the auto industry.

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