From the factory floor to the executive office, the automotive industry has historically been male-dominated. Data from the U.S. International Trade Commission in 2020 shows that women remain underrepresented at all levels, accounting for only 24% of the automotive manufacturing workforce. Understanding the causes of this gap and seeking solutions is crucial to building a more inclusive and sustainable future for the industry.

"People don't stay in organizations where they don't see themselves," said Allison Grealis, founder and president of the Women in Manufacturing Association. "If people don't see diverse individuals in leadership teams and on boards, they are likely to question: 'Can this be a place where I can develop over the long term?'"

The issue of gender underrepresentation is a core concern that automakers urgently need to address when attracting and retaining manufacturing talent, especially at a time when the electric vehicle transition is driving factory expansion and new hiring.

"The automotive industry is undergoing a massive transformation," noted Jody Stidham, managing director of Deloitte's global automotive practice. "This is the perfect time to create opportunities for women."

Whether it's software-defined vehicles, battery technology, or electric vehicle charging infrastructure, new technologies and products are emerging rapidly, extending far beyond traditional automotive manufacturing. Stidham believes that placing more women in key positions brings more diverse perspectives, which is crucial amid industry shifts—especially evolving consumer preferences.

According to a report by the U.S. International Trade Commission, women accounted for 62% of new car buyers in the United States in 2019. Increasing women's participation across all aspects of automotive production can help automakers attract this important consumer segment.

"Companies have realized that a homogeneous workforce is not conducive to profit growth," Grealis said. "Diversity of thought and talent is essential to corporate success."

Nevertheless, Deloitte's 2020 industry survey showed that 64% of female respondents cited a lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion as the top issue preventing people from considering a career in the automotive industry—a higher percentage than any other category; among male respondents, this issue ranked only sixth.

Women need dedicated pathways to success

In recent years, the proportion of women in roles such as service technicians and mechanics in the automotive industry has increased. However, Joanna Cooper, plant manager at Daimler Truck's Mount Holly facility, said via email that as careers progress, many women choose to switch roles or leave the industry due to a lack of targeted recruitment approaches, limited representation, and a shortage of role models.

Addressing these issues requires systemic changes, such as broadening candidate pipelines and implementing intentional leadership and development programs to promote advancement. Cooper added that leadership must reflect on "the way things have always been done" mindsets to foster a more inclusive culture.

A look at the data
24%
Share of women in the automotive manufacturing workforce as of 2020.
62%
Share of new car buyers in the U.S. who were women as of 2019.

Grealis also emphasized the importance of career development. She said automotive companies—and manufacturing as a whole—should invest in programs that cultivate diverse internal talent, as advancement opportunities are key to retaining employees.

To improve representation, each manufacturing site under Toyota North America runs its own inclusion-promotion programs, said Anthony Allen, group manager of talent acquisition strategy at Toyota Motor North America, via email.

Allen cited Toyota Indiana as an example, noting that the plant has achieved success in recruiting women by publishing videos featuring current employees' experiences.

"Hearing directly from people working in the various manufacturing roles Toyota hires for helps prospective applicants envision new possibilities. We see the power of 'seeing' oneself," Allen explained. "Employee testimonials have proven to be one of the most effective tools for changing outdated perceptions about manufacturing jobs and who succeeds in them."

When Grealis began touring manufacturing facilities 23 years ago, she said the processes and shop-floor roles were vastly different from what they are today. Many job seekers, she noted, do not understand what modern automotive manufacturing truly looks like.

"Modern manufacturing requires more brainpower than brawn," Grealis said. "If you look at the most successful companies, they have strong, thoughtful partnerships with educational institutions."

Employees crave more flexibility

Flexibility has proven to be a core issue for women in manufacturing, and the automotive industry is no exception.

Grealis pointed out that flexible work arrangements are closely tied to childcare issues, with access and affordability posing challenges for families, especially for manufacturing roles that typically require fixed, on-site shifts.

Lack of DEI is the top reason women believe people don't want to enter the automotive industry

Percentage of women and men in Deloitte's 2020 survey who ranked each issue as the top barrier to pursuing a career in automotive.

She mentioned that many companies have begun investing in on-site childcare services and are reconsidering shift arrangements for parents or caregivers, such as offering later start times or shorter shifts to accommodate school drop-offs and pickups.

Toyota offers multiple shift options at its manufacturing sites and subsidizes 24-hour childcare at two plants in Indiana and Kentucky.

"We remain committed to offering shift flexibility across all manufacturing roles—this improves work-life balance for all team members, and we also hope it attracts more women," Allen said.

Although women's organizations and companies like Toyota are working to shift the childcare conversation in manufacturing from a "women-only" issue to a "shared parental concern," a 2022 study by The Manufacturing Institute found that women still report a lack of flexibility and childcare support at significantly higher rates than men.

Nevertheless, Stidham believes that as automakers implement diversity and inclusion programs and begin measuring progress, they are moving toward gender equality.

"We just need to continue along this trajectory and ensure it becomes part of every business decision going forward," she said.