Overview

Despite recent headlines that sound discouraging, the automotive industry, remains a stable, profitable arena in which to work, even as it regularly expands and contracts. The industry is extremely large and reporting on such a huge industry may sound extreme without context. When profits are reported, the numbers are suitably impressive, but when losses are reported, the numbers can sound pretty dire. There always seem to be headlines on factory closings, consolidation, outsourcing, labor contracts – all of which can make the automotive industry sound as if it is in serious trouble. But it's not.

This cyclical expansion and contraction is perfectly normal for vehicle manufacturing and comes as a direct response to swings in the economy. Motor vehicle manufacturers have responded to these changes in the past by hiring or laying off workers, but the industry – and the big auto manufacturers - do not move in lock-step in this regard as much as the public seems to think. Yes, there is always the possibility of layoffs, but this is hardly a given in the industry.

Motor vehicles aren't a trend or a fad. The world needs cars and trucks to function and competitive pressure dictates that new products will be bought regularly. Not only is demand not going to disappear, it is likely to increase dramatically in the next few years as established consumer markets of the Western and industrialized nations remain stable, new products find their niche, and emerging markets of the developing world fulfill their promised global consumer and manufacturing expansion.

In the past, the automotive industry was synonymous with the U.S. and Detroit. Detroit is still very much an industry town but there are many more cities in many more countries for those seeking to work in the industry.