Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 05:57 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 05:57
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
avatar
RefleX
avatar
Joined: 25 Oct 2011
Last visit: 06 Feb 2012
Posts: 11
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 11
Kudos: 0
Anybody working in the Automotive industry? 03 Dec 2011, 15:36
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I'm considering a career track in product development/planning (not engineering but market research) in the automotive industry and was wondering if anyone has done anything similar or anything else in the industry.

I don't have any experience in this type of setting, History Bachelors, extremely passionate about cars with some "softs" (car clubs, yada yada).

What would be some of the entry level positions I would look at?
avatar
LionsSBC12
avatar
Joined: 30 Jul 2011
Last visit: 05 Jun 2012
Posts: 107
Own Kudos:
12
Given Kudos: 18
Location: United States
Concentration: General Management
Schools: Darden '14 (M) Fuqua '14 (A) Johnson '14 (A)
WE:Consulting (Consulting)
Schools: Darden '14 (M) Fuqua '14 (A) Johnson '14 (A)
Posts: 107
Kudos: 12
Anybody working in the Automotive industry? 04 Dec 2011, 09:10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I know that Ford, Toyota and Nissan hire MBAs from US business schools. Ford has a good internship program, but I'm not certain about the nature of the positions. That's about as far as I've gotten in my research, but it's someplace to start.
What schools are you targeting?
avatar
RefleX
avatar
Joined: 25 Oct 2011
Last visit: 06 Feb 2012
Posts: 11
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 11
Kudos: 0
Anybody working in the Automotive industry? 04 Dec 2011, 09:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I haven't targeted any schools yet, basically making a rough outline and collecting information. I need work experience before I even considering an MBA.
User avatar
bb
User avatar
Founder
Joined: 04 Dec 2002
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 42,384
Own Kudos:
82,114
Given Kudos: 24,107
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
GPA: 3
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
Posts: 42,384
Kudos: 82,114
Anybody working in the Automotive industry? 04 Dec 2011, 21:47
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
A lot of the positions are within the finance groups but there is some product development/marketing/etc....

Good way to research (at this level) is to do a search on Monster or Career Builder or pick your job search to see what jobs are available and where Toyota has a big campus in Torrance, CA but many of them may be in Detroit).
User avatar
asimov
User avatar
Joined: 08 Apr 2009
Last visit: 11 Oct 2022
Posts: 1,186
Own Kudos:
819
 [1]
Given Kudos: 20
Concentration: General Management, Strategy
Schools: Duke (Fuqua) - Class of 2012
Schools: Duke (Fuqua) - Class of 2012
Posts: 1,186
Kudos: 819
 [1]
Anybody working in the Automotive industry? 06 Dec 2011, 07:21
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Toyota does not hire MBA without engineering degree with at least 5 years of work experience.

Ford and Nissan are your best bet. Your best chances at those two programs is go to either Fuqua or Kellogg.

Ford has two programs that are suited to your goal. Marketing Leadership Program and Product Planning Leadership Program.
Marketing Leadership Program is a 4 year rotational program that rotates through advance strategy marketing, product marketing, consumer marketing, and field sales. It's the most presitigious rotational program at Ford. Mark Fields, President of Americas and EVP (2nd in command at Ford), was the first graduate. Several members of the Ford family are current/former members of the program. The recruiting is done at 5 core schools (Fuqua, Michigan, Kellogg, Wharton, and Darden), and 2 national conferences (National Black and NSHMBA). The incoming internship class is 6-8, and full time offers are only extended to the intern class.
Product Planning is a 5 year rotational program. The core schools are different than MLP. Fuqua just became a core school this year. Product planners serves as a conduit between engineering, finance, and marketing in the advance stages of the product life cycle. 5-6 years before product launch.

Nissan have 2 programs: NRDP and GRDP (Global), both are full time only program.
NRDP - 5 year general management rotational program. Mandatory rotation to field sales. Fuqua and Kellogg are the core schools. Recruiting is done at the core schools and a few other top tier school (Wharton, Sloan, and Tuck). NRDP is the most established program of the two, but still young compared to Ford's program.
GRDP - Rotate between emerging and developed markets. The goal is to place people back into their home market. This is international only program. You need work authorization and significant work experience in the emerging market of your final placement. For GRDP, core schools are Fuqua, Kellogg, HBS, INSEAD, and LBS. GRDP started last year - first class of GRDP is class of 2011.
avatar
rhsthunder50
avatar
Joined: 22 Jul 2011
Last visit: 14 Feb 2013
Posts: 8
Own Kudos:
5
Status:Enjoying the MBA journey
Location: United States (CA)
Concentration: Operations, Strategy
Schools: University of California Davis - Class of 2015
GMAT 1: 570 Q23 V44
GMAT 2: 630 Q40 V35
WE:Project Management (Non-Profit and Government)
Schools: University of California Davis - Class of 2015
GMAT 2: 630 Q40 V35
Posts: 8
Kudos: 5
Anybody working in the Automotive industry? 07 Dec 2011, 09:35
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I am very interested in a career path like this as well. I would be focusing more in the financial section of the company, but I want it to be in the automotive field. I however will not be going to any of the core schools that were listed for the recruiting, I will be attending UC Davis for my MBA. I know its an unknown until I actually do it, but what are the chances I could get into this kind of career with a major auto manufacturer without going to one of the big schools that were listed?
User avatar
bb
User avatar
Founder
Joined: 04 Dec 2002
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 42,384
Own Kudos:
82,114
Given Kudos: 24,107
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
GPA: 3
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
Posts: 42,384
Kudos: 82,114
Anybody working in the Automotive industry? 07 Dec 2011, 09:52
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Wow - this is a really good summary!

Thank you.


asimov
Toyota does not hire MBA without engineering degree with at least 5 years of work experience.

Ford and Nissan are your best bet. Your best chances at those two programs is go to either Fuqua or Kellogg.

Ford has two programs that are suited to your goal. Marketing Leadership Program and Product Planning Leadership Program.
Marketing Leadership Program is a 4 year rotational program that rotates through advance strategy marketing, product marketing, consumer marketing, and field sales. It's the most presitigious rotational program at Ford. Mark Fields, President of Americas and EVP (2nd in command at Ford), was the first graduate. Several members of the Ford family are current/former members of the program. The recruiting is done at 5 core schools (Fuqua, Michigan, Kellogg, Wharton, and Darden), and 2 national conferences (National Black and NSHMBA). The incoming internship class is 6-8, and full time offers are only extended to the intern class.
Product Planning is a 5 year rotational program. The core schools are different than MLP. Fuqua just became a core school this year. Product planners serves as a conduit between engineering, finance, and marketing in the advance stages of the product life cycle. 5-6 years before product launch.

Nissan have 2 programs: NRDP and GRDP (Global), both are full time only program.
NRDP - 5 year general management rotational program. Mandatory rotation to field sales. Fuqua and Kellogg are the core schools. Recruiting is done at the core schools and a few other top tier school (Wharton, Sloan, and Tuck). NRDP is the most established program of the two, but still young compared to Ford's program.
GRDP - Rotate between emerging and developed markets. The goal is to place people back into their home market. This is international only program. You need work authorization and significant work experience in the emerging market of your final placement. For GRDP, core schools are Fuqua, Kellogg, HBS, INSEAD, and LBS. GRDP started last year - first class of GRDP is class of 2011.
Show more
Moderators:
Bunuel
Math Expert
105388 posts
GMATBusters
GMAT Tutor
1924 posts