There has been a 20-40% surge in demand for specialized talent in the auto captives this year, particularly in engineering, research and design, and IT roles, they informed.
Renault, Volkswagen Group, and Mercedes-Benz are among the companies aiming to strengthen their India teams, according to their country heads.
Renault, the French automaker that recently announced significant investments in India, plans to hire approximately 2,000 new employees in various fields, according to Venkatram Mamillapalle, the CEO of its India operations. “We acknowledge the strategic importance of India’s talent pool…the talent landscape in India is crucial for propelling Renault’s growth and innovation in the global automotive industry,” he stated.
Mercedes-Benz India is seeking a workforce with expertise in data analytics and the ability to develop e-commerce channels. Santosh Iyer, the managing director, mentioned that the company plans to hire 15-20% more candidates from campuses this year compared to last year. “There is a significant surge in hiring trends within mechanical, electronics, and electrical domains for captives operating in the engineering, research, and design space,” said Vijay Sivaram, CEO of Quess IT Staffing on Auto Captive Hiring.
Auto captives refer to the India units or capability centers of multinational automobile companies in the country. The availability of talented and skilled manpower makes India an attractive destination for vehicle manufacturing and assembly, according to industry executives. Volkswagen Group, which has made efforts in the electric vehicle (EV) sector in India, is recruiting specialists in emerging technologies, such as battery electric vehicles.
“Our approach focused on infrastructure, customer perceptions, and talent readiness,” said Piyush Arora, managing director of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India.
In addition to the German manufacturer, Magna, Marelli, Stellantis, and Fisker are also in search of talent, according to data from Ciel HR Services.
This is happening at a time when there is a strong push towards electric mobility in India, positioning the country as a manufacturing hub for global automakers engaged in green and sustainable transportation. BYD, Citroën, Kia, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Audi, Porsche, and Jaguar-Land Rover have solidified their plans to launch EVs within the next 12 months. This is anticipated to not only drive hiring but also fuel the growth of the domestic EV market and broaden the accessibility of electric cars for a wider range of consumers.
There is an increasing emphasis on recruiting skilled professionals, with a growing demand for expertise in areas such as cockpit and interior design, infotainment, EV BMS (battery management system)/charging, ADAS (advanced driver-assistance system), and AUTOSAR (automotive open system architecture).
Hiring for mid-senior level positions is on the rise as companies strive to enhance their innovative potential, noted Ciel HR Services CEO Aditya Narayan Mishra.