The Future of Women and Tech in the Automotive Industry

The buzz: Vrooomm. Today, women account for only 27% of the US auto manufacturing workforce as compared to about 47% of the overall labor force. This talent gap is counterproductive for companies looking to tap into the rising opportunities for innovation, transformation, and disruption by digital technologies such as AI, AR, and the IoT. (www2.deloitte.com) Bogi Lateiner, owner of 180 Degrees Automotive in Phoenix, wanted to be a mechanic. “I had to go to 20 shops before I got the first job to say yes to hiring me”. She started her shop in her driveway. (cronkitenews..azpbs.org) In 2000, Automotive News had a difficult time filling its first list of 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry. By 2015, it had hundreds of powerful female execs to choose from. (autonews.com) We’ll ask Julie Fream (OESA), Laurie Harbour (Harbour Results), Shannon Quinn (Bridgestone) and Jennifer A. Dukarski (Butzel Long) for their take on the future of women in the automotive industry.