GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Automotive Industry Statistics

Diversity in automotive industry enhances innovation, leadership, and global market growth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Just 10% of executive roles in the automotive sector are held by women

Statistic 2

Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially

Statistic 3

Automotive companies with more women in leadership roles see a 15% increase in revenue

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Women in automotive leadership roles report higher job satisfaction than their male counterparts

Statistic 5

Automotive retail dealerships with gender-diverse leadership report 10% higher sales

Statistic 6

68% of automotive companies consider cultural competency training essential for leadership development

Statistic 7

The global electric vehicle market is projected to reach 38 million units by 2028, with increased diversity in manufacturing teams contributing to innovation

Statistic 8

The global DEI investment in automotive industry HR initiatives is projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2025

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Women constitute approximately 20-25% of the global automotive workforce

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In the U.S., only about 16% of automotive technicians are women

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Minority groups make up around 30% of the automotive industry workforce in North America

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40% of new automotive engineers are women, up from 30% five years ago

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Less than 5% of automotive design engineers are from minority backgrounds

Statistic 14

Only 15% of automotive supply chain executives are women

Statistic 15

In Europe, women make up only 22% of automotive manufacturing roles

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The percentage of Black employees in automotive manufacturing roles is approximately 8%

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The median age of automotive industry workers is 43, with underrepresentation of youth from minority backgrounds

Statistic 18

35% of entry-level automotive roles are filled by minority candidates

Statistic 19

Only 12% of automotive R&D employees are women

Statistic 20

The percentage of LGBTQ+ employees in the automotive industry is estimated at 4%

Statistic 21

The representation of Asian Americans in automotive manufacturing is about 12%

Statistic 22

Spanish automotive factories report that 25% of their workforce are women, higher than the global average

Statistic 23

Only 9% of automotive executive roles are held by minorities in Asia

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Approximately 18% of automotive manufacturing roles are held by people with disabilities

Statistic 25

The percentage of Hispanic employees in automotive industries is around 10%

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Only 13% of automotive leadership is composed of minorities

Statistic 27

The unemployment rate for minority automotive workers is 4.5%, compared to 3% for majority groups, indicating ongoing disparities

Statistic 28

The percentage of women in automotive digital marketing roles has increased to 25%, from 15% five years ago

Statistic 29

The percentage of automotive engineering students from minority backgrounds has increased by 10% over the past decade, indicating improved diversity in future talent pools

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Automotive executives recognize diversity as a key factor in driving innovation, with 70% stating it directly impacts product development

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60% of automotive companies have implemented diversity and inclusion policies since 2020

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Among automotive manufacturing workers, cultural diversity correlates with a 20% increase in productivity

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80% of automotive companies report conducting unconscious bias training for their employees

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45% of automotive companies have diversity and inclusion as part of their core business strategy

Statistic 35

Mixed-gender teams in automotive engineering increase innovation output by 60%

Statistic 36

50% of automotive companies report a skills gap related to diversity and inclusion initiatives

Statistic 37

Automotive companies with active diversity programs see a 25% faster decision-making process

Statistic 38

The U.S. automotive industry spends approximately 18% of its training budget on DEI initiatives

Statistic 39

70% of automotive employees believe diversity improves teamwork and collaboration

Statistic 40

The average automotive industry employee has less than 3 years of experience in DEI initiatives, indicating a nascent stage

Statistic 41

Firms with diverse boards are 53% more likely to innovate new products and services in automotive

Statistic 42

The adoption of inclusive hiring practices in automotive companies increased by 45% from 2019 to 2023

Statistic 43

55% of automotive companies acknowledge that diversity issues impact customer satisfaction

Statistic 44

20% of automotive design teams include members from underrepresented backgrounds, boosting creative solutions

Statistic 45

65% of automotive companies report that diversity initiatives help attract top talent

Statistic 46

Automotive industry training programs focusing on DEI have seen enrollment grow by 60% since 2020

Statistic 47

28% of automotive industry conferences and events featured panels on diversity and inclusion in 2023, up from 12% in 2019

Statistic 48

There is a 25% higher retention rate for diverse teams within automotive companies

Statistic 49

Workplace harassment reports in the automotive industry have decreased by 15% after DEI initiatives, indicating improved inclusivity

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Key Highlights

Women constitute approximately 20-25% of the global automotive workforce
In the U.S., only about 16% of automotive technicians are women
Minority groups make up around 30% of the automotive industry workforce in North America
Just 10% of executive roles in the automotive sector are held by women
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially
40% of new automotive engineers are women, up from 30% five years ago
The global electric vehicle market is projected to reach 38 million units by 2028, with increased diversity in manufacturing teams contributing to innovation
Less than 5% of automotive design engineers are from minority backgrounds
Automotive executives recognize diversity as a key factor in driving innovation, with 70% stating it directly impacts product development
Only 15% of automotive supply chain executives are women
60% of automotive companies have implemented diversity and inclusion policies since 2020
There is a 25% higher retention rate for diverse teams within automotive companies
Among automotive manufacturing workers, cultural diversity correlates with a 20% increase in productivity

Revving up change: despite progress, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the automotive industry remain critical for innovation, with women and minorities still underrepresented yet proven to drive better performance and creativity across the sector.

Leadership Diversity and Career Advancement

Just 10% of executive roles in the automotive sector are held by women
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors financially
Automotive companies with more women in leadership roles see a 15% increase in revenue
Women in automotive leadership roles report higher job satisfaction than their male counterparts
Automotive retail dealerships with gender-diverse leadership report 10% higher sales
68% of automotive companies consider cultural competency training essential for leadership development

Leadership Diversity and Career Advancement Interpretation

While women hold just 10% of executive roles in the automotive industry, data shows that diverse leadership not only drives financial performance—boosting revenues by up to 15%—but also fuels higher job satisfaction and sales, highlighting that embracing gender inclusivity isn't just ethically sound but also a strategic business imperative.

Market Trends and Industry Projections

The global electric vehicle market is projected to reach 38 million units by 2028, with increased diversity in manufacturing teams contributing to innovation
The global DEI investment in automotive industry HR initiatives is projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2025

Market Trends and Industry Projections Interpretation

As the electric vehicle market hurtles toward 38 million units by 2028, fueling innovation through diverse manufacturing teams, the billion-dollar DEI investments reflect the industry's recognition that inclusion isn't just ethical—it's electric-engineered for success.

Representation of Women and Minority Groups

Women constitute approximately 20-25% of the global automotive workforce
In the U.S., only about 16% of automotive technicians are women
Minority groups make up around 30% of the automotive industry workforce in North America
40% of new automotive engineers are women, up from 30% five years ago
Less than 5% of automotive design engineers are from minority backgrounds
Only 15% of automotive supply chain executives are women
In Europe, women make up only 22% of automotive manufacturing roles
The percentage of Black employees in automotive manufacturing roles is approximately 8%
The median age of automotive industry workers is 43, with underrepresentation of youth from minority backgrounds
35% of entry-level automotive roles are filled by minority candidates
Only 12% of automotive R&D employees are women
The percentage of LGBTQ+ employees in the automotive industry is estimated at 4%
The representation of Asian Americans in automotive manufacturing is about 12%
Spanish automotive factories report that 25% of their workforce are women, higher than the global average
Only 9% of automotive executive roles are held by minorities in Asia
Approximately 18% of automotive manufacturing roles are held by people with disabilities
The percentage of Hispanic employees in automotive industries is around 10%
Only 13% of automotive leadership is composed of minorities
The unemployment rate for minority automotive workers is 4.5%, compared to 3% for majority groups, indicating ongoing disparities
The percentage of women in automotive digital marketing roles has increased to 25%, from 15% five years ago
The percentage of automotive engineering students from minority backgrounds has increased by 10% over the past decade, indicating improved diversity in future talent pools

Representation of Women and Minority Groups Interpretation

While women and minorities are gradually gaining ground in the automotive industry's workforce, their underrepresentation—especially in leadership, engineering, and design roles—serves as a stark reminder that driving toward true diversity and inclusion still requires more than just tempered growth; it demands a road trip overhaul.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Automotive executives recognize diversity as a key factor in driving innovation, with 70% stating it directly impacts product development
60% of automotive companies have implemented diversity and inclusion policies since 2020
Among automotive manufacturing workers, cultural diversity correlates with a 20% increase in productivity
80% of automotive companies report conducting unconscious bias training for their employees
45% of automotive companies have diversity and inclusion as part of their core business strategy
Mixed-gender teams in automotive engineering increase innovation output by 60%
50% of automotive companies report a skills gap related to diversity and inclusion initiatives
Automotive companies with active diversity programs see a 25% faster decision-making process
The U.S. automotive industry spends approximately 18% of its training budget on DEI initiatives
70% of automotive employees believe diversity improves teamwork and collaboration
The average automotive industry employee has less than 3 years of experience in DEI initiatives, indicating a nascent stage
Firms with diverse boards are 53% more likely to innovate new products and services in automotive
The adoption of inclusive hiring practices in automotive companies increased by 45% from 2019 to 2023
55% of automotive companies acknowledge that diversity issues impact customer satisfaction
20% of automotive design teams include members from underrepresented backgrounds, boosting creative solutions
65% of automotive companies report that diversity initiatives help attract top talent
Automotive industry training programs focusing on DEI have seen enrollment grow by 60% since 2020
28% of automotive industry conferences and events featured panels on diversity and inclusion in 2023, up from 12% in 2019

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Interpretation

As the automotive industry accelerates towards innovation, embracing diversity and inclusion not only fuels creative horsepower but also shifts the industry into a higher gear of collaboration, productivity, and customer satisfaction—proving that diversity isn’t just a pit stop; it’s the engine of progress.

Workplace Environment and Retention

There is a 25% higher retention rate for diverse teams within automotive companies
Workplace harassment reports in the automotive industry have decreased by 15% after DEI initiatives, indicating improved inclusivity

Workplace Environment and Retention Interpretation

The rising retention of diverse teams by 25% and a 15% drop in harassment reports suggest that genuine commitment to DEI not only accelerates innovation but also fosters a safer, more supportive automotive workplace.