How have attitudes towards employers changed over the last 10 years?

In 2008 the top ten companies we received enquiries about were ‘traditional’ motorsports companies, often involved in F1 or other racing series’.

Fast forward ten years to 2018 and it’s far more of a mix. Whilst some of the traditional motorsports companies remain, they are joined by road-car OEMs as well as innovative new entrants that are pushing the boundaries of automotive technologies.

In the Auto Innovation world the clue is in the name… it’s all about innovation. The top companies we get asked about time and time again have this in common, and when choosing an employer people tend to want to work for whoever they believe to be at the forefront of innovation.

Who were the top companies for innovation in 2018?

Mercedes AMG HPP

Topping the list of our most enquired about company in both 2008 and 2018 Mercedes are one of the most popular choices in the industry, and for good reason! They make cutting edge hybrid engines which have powered 7 of the last 10 F1 World Champions!

McLaren Automotive

McLaren are one of the most well-respected motorsports brands in the world, but the last 10 years have seen them on a significant drive with road cars.  Since the introduction of the 12C in 2012, they have quickly become established as a super car manufacturer of choice for those seeking an outstanding driving experience.  They are shifting their focus to electrification and are keen on maintaining their position as one of the most innovative companies in the space.

Red Bull / Aston Martin

Red Bull’s track record in F1 is enviable with dominance and drivers and constructors World Championship wins in 4 consecutive years from 2010 to 2013.  But the collaboration between these 2 companies on the Valkyrie project has created a huge buzz in the industry.  At £2.5m, the hypercar has a V12 ICE, a hybrid system and the holy grail power to weight ratio of 1:1!

Renault Sport F1

It didn’t go unnoticed to those in the ‘know’ in the industry that the Renault Sport F1 V8 was a big part of the Red Bull dominance in 2010 to 2013!  With increasing involvement and success in the Formula E race series alongside their F1 involvement and a growing portfolio of hybrid and electric road cars, this huge automotive powerhouse remains highly of interest to the market.

Dyson

They might be famous for vacuums and fans, but Dyson are also a key player in the world of electrification. They hope to have their electric car offering to market by 2021 and are investing £2 billion in the development of the vehicle.

Rivian

Rivian are aiming to make their electric car available to buy in 2020. They’ve developed the worlds largest and most durable battery pack that allows a long range, as well as technology that delivers 200 horsepower per wheel.

The Volkswagen Audi Group

The group have revealed that by 2030 they will offer at least one electrified variant of each model across all its brands (including Skoda, Audi and SEAT) and markets. This will include up to 50 pure electric vehicles and 30 plug-in hybrid models. A huge commitment!

ABB

Heavily involved in Formula E, the electrification business of ABB is at the forefront of innovation in the space, and create products that will help to create safe, sustainable electrification. They’re also a key player in the creation of the charging infrastructure to support electric vehicles.

Rimac

Rimac are an electric hypercar designer aiming to drive the electric car revolution, creating components from battery packs to electronics to infotainment systems. They’re a popular choice due to their work with Aston Martin, Jaguar, Renault and more.

Tesla

Tesla is one of the biggest names in the electrification space, with their range of electric cars leading the way in bringing the technology to the masses. Tesla has a commitment to make the electric car more affordable and this is now close to happening with the new Model 3 being sold at around $35,000.

Interested in more insight?

If you’re interested in finding out more about the companies that are leading the market and the exciting technological developments that are happening in the space, download our Electrification and the Skills Impact 2019 report here.