The automotive industry is one of the leading industries in the world in terms of revenue. It provides large-scale worldwide employment both directly and indirectly.
There are plenty of opportunities for you to work in the automotive industry. A good number of them will not require you to have a degree in engineering. Here are 5 ways you can get into the automotive industry.
Sales Person
This is a very important person in a dealership. Your job is to look for customers, identify their interests, and help them choose a car that matches their interests.
You will also have to negotiate for prices with customers, agree on the payment method and ensure that all concerns of the customer are met.
To succeed in this job, you will need to have very good human relations and communication skills. This will help you to convince customers to make purchases. At the end of the day, you are measured by what you have sold.
If you are good at sales, you can make a good income through commission. If you are just starting, it’s good to start with sales training.
Car Dealership
Dealerships are motor vehicle distributors who buy them from manufacturers and sell them in retail. They are quite large establishments with employees working in various departments.
According to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NDA), there are more than 16,000 light-vehicle dealers in the US. This shows that the market for dealers is quite large.
Starting a car dealership might require a large capital. Therefore, starting on a smaller scale might be a good idea. Car manufacturers may agree to extend you some credit since they are interested to increase their sales.
The most important skills you will need to get started are sales, technical, and management skills. Using automotive industry recruiters, you would be able to hire experts in the field to help you start your business.
Getting some training such as the BDC Training for Dealers can give you some ideas on how to be successful in the dealership business.
Auto Maintenance
This is the only job that will require you to have some technical skills. However, it is not a must to have a university degree to become a mechanic. A high school diploma and some mechanical training from a trade school are enough to get started.
If you are less experienced, you can find an entry-level job where you receive training as you work. Later you can consider getting an industry certification.
If you have more experience or higher training, you can set up a service station and hire a few employees. Alternatively, you can offer your services to a dealership as an employee.
Car Shipping
This job involves transporting motor vehicles for companies and individuals. It would be a good option if you have experience in the transport industry.
The main expenses you will have to incur are insurance and the cost of buying a trailer. Most customers want to be assured that their vehicles are safe during transit. Therefore, with good insurance coverage, you can win such customers.
A trailer can be expensive to buy, but you can make use of credit facilities if available. If you have a pick-up truck that is strong enough for towing, you can start this business on a smaller scale.
Auto Spare Parts
This involves selling spare parts for vehicles such as headlights, side mirrors, brake systems, and other car accessories. Having experience in various kinds of motor vehicles can prove to be helpful in this business.
Location is a very important factor in starting a spare part shop. The best location is next to or near a service station. Combining a car service station and a spare part shop can be a good business strategy.
If you do not have skills in this business, you can consider entering into a franchise arrangement. This will help you to work with more experienced people who have a deeper understanding of the distribution channels.
Conclusion
The motor vehicle industry is full of opportunities to start and run a successful business. Depending on your skills and the amount of capital you have, you can always fit somewhere in the automobile industry.
To stay ahead of your field, it would be highly recommended to take some BDC training.
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