Tag Archives: career

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10 Most In-Demand Jobs for Car Enthusiasts 2020

It’s the beginning of a new decade, and many people might be looking at this new milestone as an excuse to start a new career. Whether you’re an amateur mechanic that’s looking for a change or a high school student trying to figure out what you’re going to do with your life, 2020 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for car lovers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the automotive industry is expected to grow by 17% through this year, which is faster than the average of all other occupations.  For automotive enthusiasts, what are the most in-demand automotive-related jobs for 2020?

(All salary information collected from the Bureau of Labor Statistics unless otherwise indicated.)

1. Automotive Repair Technician

First and foremost, there will always be a need for those skilled and knowledgeable enough to repair and maintain everyone else’s daily drivers. You don’t need a degree to become a mechanic or repair technician, though a post-secondary program certificate may be required. Automotive repair technicians can expect to make an average of $40,710 a year, or $19.57 an hour. 

2. Detailer

There’s nothing better than a nice clean car, and automotive detailers have the awesome job of keeping those cars clean and sparkly. You’ll learn on the job and there are is no educational requirement to become a detailer.  The average hourly wage for automotive detailers is $24,530 a year, or $11.79 per hour. 

3. Rental Agent

Whether you’re renting a car for a vacation or need a replacement while yours is in the shop, rental agents are there to help.  If you like working with people and cars, and want to find a decent career without worrying about college or a post-secondary program, look for a job as a rental agent. Automotive rental agents can earn upwards of $31,200 a year, or around $14.52 an hour. 

Pictured: Dr. Hans-Christian Baertels, President BMW Group India

4. Tow Truck Driver

If you need a rescue — whether that means a flat tire, a dead battery or a car accident —  you call a tow-truck driver.  Getting into this industry requires a post-secondary program and a CDL, but you can enjoy an average annual salary of $30,389 a year.

5. Vehicle Inspector

Whether you’re inspecting vehicles for emissions regulations or ensuring that the cargo is safe to transport, vehicle inspectors are a necessary and important part of the automotive industry. It’s also one a lucrative career, with the average inspector earning $73,720 annually, or $35.44 per hour.

6. Automotive Engineer

If you don’t mind heading to college for a bachelor’s degree and enjoy working with technical things, becoming an automotive engineer is a great option. 

Engineers are involved in every part of the creation process, from design to manufacturing and even — in some settings — in repair. On average, an automotive engineer can earn $87,370 a year or $42.00 an hour. 

7. Electric Car Repair

Electric vehicles are becoming more popular with each passing year, and it takes a specific type of skillset to be able to maintain these vehicles and keep them running smoothly. This field is so new that the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t have any specific wage data yet, but on average you can expect to earn around $33,010 a year to repair and maintain electric cars. 

Furthermore, the renewable industry is expected to grow by 63% between 2018 and 2028. Considering electric and autonomous vehicles are rapidly developing within BMW and other automakers, a job working with EVs may help further your career and transform the automotive industry.

8. Car Sales

If you love getting to hang out with the newest cars on the market every year, there’s no better career than automotive sales. The median annual salary for a car salesperson is $39,903, though that can vary from state to state and depends on whether you receive an hourly salary, commission, or both.

9. Manufacturing 

If you like to get your hands dirty but prefer putting this together rather than fixing them, automotive manufacturing can be a great way to get the best of both worlds.

On average, automotive manufacturers can earn upwards of $43,203 annually.  This is also usually a unionized position which means you’ve got better benefits and more protection. 

10. Car Designer

For those on the more artistic side of the things, becoming an automotive designer might be right up your alley. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a related field, like graphic design or engineering design, but in this field, you can earn upwards of $66,590 a year or $32.01 an hour creating the cars of tomorrow. 

Looking Forward

If you love cars but don’t want to get your hands dirty, there are plenty of growing careers that you can take advantage of if 2020 is your year to make a change ad choose a new career.

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How to Become a BMW Salesperson

So, you want to be a BMW salesperson. While the job can be challenging at times, it does have its perks — the chance to make a decent living and spend a significant portion of your day talking about BMWs.

The pay for car salespeople varies widely depending on where you work and how skilled you are at selling cars since a significant portion of your pay comes from commissions. According to payscale.com, the average pay is $41,768.

Most BMW salespeople, however, make between $89,000 and $171,000, according to glassdoor.com. On top of that, most automobile salespeople sell between 200 and 1,000 cars every year and average more than one each day.

Being a car salesperson isn’t for everyone though. You need to be great with people and have skills in sales and customer service. You also need to have knowledge of cars and financing options.

Plus, you have to be prepared to be on your feet all day and work long hours, weekends and some holidays. If you want to work at BMW, you should also have a passion for beamers.

If you think you’re up for the challenge though, being a BMW salesperson can be an excellent career. Here’s how to make it happen.

Gain Experience

You don’t need a college degree to become a BMW salesperson, but you should have completed high school. It can be helpful if you’ve completed some sort of commercial or technical professional training related to sales, marketing or a related field.

You could take a few classes at a local college or enroll in an online training program. If you hope to move into a management position, a bachelor’s degree in business may be helpful.

BMW also prefers that you have some sort of experience in sales or customer service. You might start in a retail, sales or customer service position unrelated to cars, or you could get a job at another car dealership before moving up to BMW. The dealership you apply to will also consider your personality, skill set and enthusiasm for BMW.

Apply to Become a Junior Salesperson

Once you feel you’re ready, you can apply to become a junior salesperson at BMW. Simply search BMW’s website for open positions or look in the classifieds section of your local newspaper.

Complete the BMW Training Program

If your application is accepted, BMW will automatically enroll you in its car salesperson training program. The program is modular and will adapt to your experience and skill level. It will take a maximum of 12 months to complete. The program consists of several phases:

  • The introductory training will teach you about the BMW brand, the product lines, the BMW technologies most crucial for sales and the steps of the sales process. This will take about one week.
  • The basics module takes about two weeks and involves learning the essential consultation techniques and putting them into practice. It concludes with an exam and oral test.
  • The advanced modules will help you to improve your existing skills as needed. You’ll look at real-life cases and work with BMW retail organizations.
  • The specializations modules will teach you additional skills depending on your department, the size of your dealership and other conditions.

Check License Requirements

Depending on the state you live in, you may need a license to become a car salesperson. Check the requirements for your home state.

In California, you need to submit an application and pay a fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles. In Colorado, you need to pass an exam in addition to submitting an application and paying a fee.

You can also choose to participate in voluntary certification programs through organizations such as the Society of Automotive Sales Professionals (SASP) and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA).

Move Up

Once you complete the above requirements, you can become a BMW salesperson. If you do well and decide to stay in the field, you may eventually want to move up. Junior salespeople can eventually be promoted to more senior sales positions.

If you want to become a sales manager, you may need to go back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in business if you don’t already have one. After some more time in the industry, you may even decide to start your own dealership or buy an existing one and run the whole operation.

The requirements to become a BMW salesperson aren’t extremely stringent, but the job can be demanding and requires a specific set of skills. If you find success in this field, you can have a rewarding career as a BMW salesperson.

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So You Want to Start an Auto Repair Business: Six Things to Know First

If you’ve spent endless summers or weekends turning wrenches in your garage, it might seem like the next logical step to turn your hobby into a business where you can earn money. While this can be a worthwhile endeavor, here are six things you should be aware of before you sign the lease on your shop and turn on the lights.

1. Licensing and Regulations

Anytime you open a business, you will need to obtain a business license and a tax identification number (TIN). You also have to familiarize yourself with some regulations, from employee safety to the disposable of hazardous materials, before you can open your doors. Not dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s can lead to costly fines that may even shut down your business before you get it off the ground.

2. Certifications

While Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications aren’t a requirement to open a shop or even work in one, customers feel a lot better about leaving their car in your hands if they see that blue gear logo on your wall or the lapel of your shop clothes. You can take a few different tests depending on your shop’s specialization, from general automobile repair to heavy engine repair on trucks or busses.

3. Start-Up Costs

In 2013, the start-up cost for an automotive repair shop was roughly $48,000. This includes things like renting a shop, purchasing equipment and paying for insurance, to name a few. It’s hard to repair cars with no tools and nowhere to do it, after all. Keep those start-up costs in mind, especially if you’re planning to secure a business loan to cover them.

4. Specializations

Are you planning to open your doors to all makes and models, or are you planning on specializing in a single brand of car, such as BMWs? You might lose out on some business opportunities if you choose the latter, but it can be lucrative depending on the types of vehicles people in your area own.

If you do want a specific brand to work on, make sure you look into any specializations you will need to acquire to become a certified specialist.

5. Contractors

They say that no man is an island — and no auto repair shop is either. You will need some help from outside contractors that might include but aren’t limited to:

· Lawyer: To help you dot all those I’s and cross all those T’s that we mentioned earlier

· Accountant: To help you keep track of the books

· Certified Garage Door Repair Technician: Because there’s no point in having a garage if the door won’t open — choose a certified technician to make sure that the job is done right the first time

· Equipment Repair Technician: Since you probably won’t have a hydraulic lift or compressor specialist on staff

The services these individuals provide will cost money, so make sure you include that in your initial calculations, so you’re not caught flat-footed.

6. Marketing

No one likes thinking about marketing, but word-of-mouth will only carry you so far when you’re opening a new business. If you don’t have any marketing skills, invest in the assistance of a professional to help customers can find you. Providing excellent service can encourage word of mouth, but you only get the chance to repair cars if drivers can find you in the first place.

Opening an auto repair shop isn’t as complicated as it sounds, but it does take some preparation to make sure everything is done right. Taking that time to prepare will mean the difference between a shop that is successful and one that closes it’s door before its first year is over.