Betriebswirt/Betriebswirtin (Hochschule) für Automobilwirtschaft

Relevant media and publications for this profession include 'Anforderungen und Chancen für Wirtschaftsverkehre in der Stadt mit automatisiert fahrenden E-Fahrzeugen', 'Automobil Industrie', 'Automobilwoche', 'BFuP - Betriebswirtschaftliche Forschung und Praxis', 'Der Betriebswirt', 'Deutsche Akademie der Technikwissenschaften', 'kfz-betrieb', 'Management Review Quarterly', 'Mobilität von morgen ganzheitlich gestalten - Ergebnisse aus drei Jahren Nationale Plattform Zukunft der Mobilität', 'SBUR Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research. Schmalenbachs Zeitschrift für betriebswirtschaftliche Forschung', 'VDMA Mobilität', 'Wirtschaftliche Bedeutung regionaler Automobilnetzwerke in Deutschland', and 'wiwi-online - Der Begleitfaden für Studium & Karriere'.

Hybrid selling and digital channels play a central role in sales and marketing. Business-to-business (B2B) companies are increasingly contacting customers via video conferences and online meetings. Voicebots are also gaining importance. Sales and distribution professionals will increasingly focus on digital channels and their applications in customer contact. Online car trading is also growing; by 2030, half of all new cars could be sold online. Customers currently use websites primarily for product and price information. While the number of car dealerships is declining, online sales are increasing. Dealerships need to develop their own online offerings.

To succeed in this field, interest in kaufmännisch-organisatorisch (commercial-organizational) and verwaltend-organisatorisch (administrative-organizational) activities is important. Examples of commercial-organizational activities include planning the strategic corporate position of an automobile manufacturer or advertising special offers in customer newsletters. Examples of administrative-organizational activities include preparing payrolls.

Business economists in the automotive industry primarily work in offices and meeting rooms, as well as in sales rooms. They may also work from a home office or remotely.

Core competencies acquired or deepened during Studium (university studies) include business administration, controlling, purchasing, procurement, financing, financial management, warranty services, commercial business administration, commercial law, calculation, cost and performance accounting, motor vehicle trade, marketing, human resources, pricing, assortment design, contract law, and sales. Other competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include car rental, bookkeeping, customer data platforms (CDP), e-commerce, e-business, vehicle insurance, motor vehicle maintenance and repair, customer consulting and support, warehouse management, leasing, logistics, quality management, sales, customs regulations, and customs clearance. Additionally, the competence groups 'Betriebswirtschafts-, Finanz- und Controllingsoftware' (Business, Finance, and Controlling Software), 'Fahrzeugteile' (Vehicle Parts), 'Fahrzeugtypen' (Vehicle Types), and 'Kfz-Marken' (Car Brands) are important.

The ongoing digitalization of the working and professional world can change task areas and requirement profiles. For business economists in the automotive industry, opportunities may arise to deal with the following technologies, procedures, or systems: Algorithmic Decision Making (ADM), e.g., contributing to the development of criteria for evaluating the market value of motor vehicles; Business Intelligence (BI), e.g., making operational and strategic decisions with the help of automatically analyzed data and the insights gained therefrom; Business Process Management Systems (BPM Systems), e.g., using software to analyze and control business processes to increase efficiency; Chatbots, e.g., planning the use of chatbots for customer communication; Customer Data Platforms (CDP), e.g., developing and implementing marketing and sales concepts based on data from the CDP; Data-Driven Marketing, e.g., developing advertising strategies based on data.

Business economists in automotive management independently plan, organize, and control business processes. If they lead a team, they motivate their employees and coordinate their collaboration. This requires communication skills and assertiveness, and negotiation skills in customer discussions. They use their analytical and organizational skills, for example, when conducting business analyses on cost development or implementing new market launch plans. When developing financing concepts, they think in business terms. Foreign language skills and intercultural competencies are needed, for example, when collaborating with customers or suppliers from other countries. They primarily work in an office at a desk, but are also active in salesrooms, for example, when advising customers. In field service, they visit customers and business partners domestically and abroad.

Business economists in automotive management can become self-employed, for example, by starting their own automotive trade business.

Example of gross basic collective bargaining remuneration (monthly): 8,528 €. Source: Statistisches Taschenbuch Tarifpolitik - WSI-Tarifarchiv. Note: This information is for orientation purposes only. No claims can be derived from it.

Wholesale trade, commercial agency: Wholesale trade of motor vehicles with a permissible gross weight of 3.5 t or less, wholesale trade agency activities for motor vehicles, wholesale trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories, wholesale trade agency activities for motor vehicle parts and accessories. Retail trade: Retail trade of motor vehicles with a permissible gross weight of 3.5 t or less (e.g., sales management in car dealerships), retail trade of motor vehicles with a permissible gross weight of more than 3.5 t, retail trade of motor vehicle parts and accessories. Motor vehicles: Manufacturing of motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines (e.g., sales).

Those who wish to work in this profession typically need a completed undergraduate degree (grundständiges Studium) in automotive management. Leadership positions or specialized tasks usually require a master's degree (Masterstudium). Activities in science and research often require a doctorate (Promotion) or habilitation (Habilitation).

Automotive Management (undergraduate); Automotive Management (postgraduate)

Business economists in the automotive industry find employment in car dealerships and with car manufacturers.

Business Economist (University) - Automotive Industry. Professional title in French: Responsable commercial/Responsable commerciale - automobile.

Some characteristics of work and social behavior are equally relevant for all professions and are therefore not mentioned separately. These include: reliability, punctuality, honesty, ability to criticize, and appropriate manners. In addition, the following profession-specific characteristics are required to practice this academic profession: Performance and commitment (e.g., willingness to actively and decisively take on commercial analysis, planning, and leadership tasks in automotive retail businesses); Perseverance / Determination (e.g., planning long-term investment projects and sticking to their implementation despite temporary setbacks or short-term changes in priorities); Diligence (e.g., precise and error-free creation of financing concepts for vehicle purchases); Sense of responsibility and willingness to take responsibility (e.g., taking responsibility for the efficient and economic design of commercial processes in the automotive sector).

Business economists in the automotive industry plan, organize, and monitor the business activities of an automotive retail company or the commercial activities of an automotive manufacturer.

Job and applicant portals: autojob.de, jobs.automobilwoche.de, salesjob.

Associations and organizations: Bundesverband Deutscher Volks- und Betriebswirte e.V. (bdvb), Bundesverband Großhandel, Außenhandel, Dienstleistungen e.V. (BGA), Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag (DIHK) e.V., ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft, Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V. (VDA), Verband der Internationalen Kraftfahrzeughersteller e.V. (VDIK), Zentralverband Deutsches Kraftfahrzeuggewerbe e.V. (ZDK).

Professionals in this field assume personal responsibility, such as guiding, motivating, and leading employees. They are also responsible for tangible assets, including conducting business plans and feasibility studies for projects (e.g., estimating timelines, necessary budgets, expected goals). They maintain customer contact with suppliers and trade partners. They perform analysis, conception, and planning tasks using computers and conduct employee discussions in office environments.

Professionals in this field can be employed in various areas. In purchasing and procurement, they can work as buyers or heads of purchasing. In finance and accounting, they can serve as calculators, cost accountants, heads of finance and accounting, or heads of cost accounting. In warehousing, material management, and logistics, they can be heads of warehousing, heads of logistics, supply chain managers, or demand planners. They can also teach at universities as lecturers, academic coordinators, or department heads. In management and corporate leadership, they can work as department heads, commercial operations managers, business development managers, group/team leaders, internal service managers, or branch managers. In marketing and advertising, they can be category managers or heads of marketing. Additionally, they can work as management consultants.

The main tools and work objects in this profession include goods such as passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Various documents are also used, including feasibility analyses, business plans, trade, marketing, and leasing concepts, key performance indicators, annual financial reports, process and organizational plans, contracts, statistics, sales brochures, and commercial and tax law regulations. Office equipment such as PCs, internet access, and telephones are also part of the work environment.

Business economists in the automotive industry support economic decision-making processes in various company departments. They create analyses and concepts, execute projects, and evaluate their success. In purchasing and procurement, they improve ordering and delivery processes and manage supplier relationships. In sales, they expand trade partnerships, optimize trade concepts, develop marketing strategies, and open up new sales channels. They also advise customers and conduct sales training for employees.

Continuing education for professional adaptation helps to keep professional knowledge current and to adjust to new developments (e.g., in areas such as business administration, retail, commercial and corporate law, controlling).

Bachelor's graduates can enhance their professional and career opportunities through further studies, for example, in automotive economics, automotive management, or business administration. A doctorate (Promotion) is generally required for a scientific career at a university; to be appointed as a university professor, a habilitation is usually needed. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector, research, and public administration.

Automotive business administrators analyze and evaluate commercial activities. They research innovative, practical, and successful commercial concepts, for example, by observing competitors. They plan the strategic positioning of the company and prepare entrepreneurial decisions. They plan the integration of new concepts into internal and cross-company processes, such as automotive financing, marketing concepts, logistics, or ordering systems. They conduct business plans and profitability analyses for projects, estimating timelines, necessary budgets, and goals. They discuss concepts and adapt them if necessary. They accompany implementation processes, coordinate or co-supervise sub-tasks, and monitor interim goals, for example, in controlling, purchasing and procurement, or finance and accounting. They continuously review commercial activities and adjust them to circumstances, for example, optimizing order and delivery processes, export programs, or collaborations with automobile manufacturers. They monitor payment flows.

The following additional employment alternatives are available for the profession of automotive business administrator: Activities in management, corporate leadership; Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Corporate Leadership, Master of Business Administration, Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Transport, Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Marketing, Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Advertising, Marketing Communication, Economist, Industrial Engineer. Commonalities: Planning, monitoring, and organizing business processes; supporting economic decision-making processes; negotiating with business partners and customers. Note: The mentioned job alternatives may require a longer induction period or additional training.

Automotive business administrators plan, organize, and supervise the business activities of an automotive retail company or the commercial activities of an automobile manufacturer. How can the automotive retail company react to the increasing competition from foreign dealer groups? What measures should the car dealership take to improve consulting quality and customer loyalty? Are there attractive expansion opportunities in e-business? Automotive business administrators know their own company and the competitive situation and stay up-to-date on innovative marketing concepts, ordering procedures in cooperation with the car manufacturer, and advantageous logistics systems. This allows them to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of their procurement channels and the opportunities and risks in addressing target groups: How reliable is the supplier, how quickly do they deliver?

The following abilities, knowledge, and skills are required for performing possible activities in this academic profession. Abilities: Numerical (computational) thinking (e.g., creating financing plans; performing cost analyses); Memorization (e.g., memory for numbers, people, and automobile features and equipment); Adaptability (e.g., quick and frequent switching between administrative tasks and customer conversations under time pressure); Technical understanding (e.g., understanding and explaining automotive technology and technical innovations); Commercial aptitude (e.g., planning strategic company positioning; observing markets in the automotive industry); Planning and organizing ability (e.g., planning and organizing employee deployment). Knowledge and Skills: Calculation skills (e.g., calculating material costs for automobile production).

The exercise of the profession may entail the following physical requirements. This information does not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional application. Unimpaired speech ability (e.g., explaining offers to customers and employees); Near vision - also corrected (e.g., performing analysis, conceptual, and planning work on the computer); Hearing ability and speech comprehension (e.g., understanding interlocutors when discussing commercial concepts). Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and should not be understood in the sense of a medical fitness assessment. Actual physical fitness or unfitness must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable accommodations.

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants who cannot find a vacant position in their learned profession. Furthermore, employers can consider specialists from these professions as alternatives for filling a job position in the original profession. Some alternative professions only comprise partial activities of the original profession, others require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of automotive business administrator: Job and staffing alternatives for the overall activity (usually short induction): Business Administrator (Hochschule) for Trade. In related professions: Business Administrator (Hochschule). With a lower qualification level: Business Administrator (Fachschule) for Motor Vehicles.

Working as a business economist in automotive management is not a regulated profession. No professional recognition is necessary to work in this profession with a qualification acquired abroad. However, it is possible to apply for an individual certificate evaluation for foreign university degrees through the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB). This can be helpful for job applications in the German labor market. Further information on living and working in Germany: Hotline Arbeiten und Leben in Deutschland - central information hotline of the Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge (BAMF) and the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BA); Information for people from abroad - an information service of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit; Central International and Specialist Placement Service of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit; Make it in Germany - The welcome portal of the skilled labor initiative for international professionals.

The following health limitations could lead to problems when performing this profession. This information does not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional deployment possibility. Increasingly, there are also ways to compensate for limitations, for example, through technical aids. Speech disorders or defects (e.g., explaining offers to customers and employees), uncorrectable visual impairment for close vision (e.g., performing analysis, conception, and planning work on the computer), hearing impairment, deafness, hearing disorders, chronic ear conditions (e.g., understanding conversation partners when discussing trade concepts) could be problematic. Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and should not be understood as a medical suitability assessment. Actual physical suitability or unsuitability must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable accommodations.

The following alternative occupations are available for the profession of business economist in automotive management from an employer's perspective: Activities in management, corporate leadership; Business Economist (university degree) for corporate leadership, management; Master of Business Administration. Commonalities: Planning, monitoring, and organizing business processes; supporting economic decision-making processes; negotiating with business partners and customers. Note: The mentioned alternative occupations may require an induction period, which can vary in length on a case-by-case basis.