Talent Retention and Salaries: Challenges for the Automotive Industry

51% of companies in the automotive industry face challenges in retaining key talent due to factors such as uncompetitive salary offers or the lack of an employee skills development and specialization plan. This was revealed by the study “Trends in the Automotive Industry’s Work Environment”, published by Kelly , which warns of a competitive landscape for companies in the sector in Mexico. This is attributed to constant shifts in worker preferences, leading to changes in workforce dynamics.

According to the study, surveyed companies identified up to 5 main challenges in retaining suitable talent within the industry. The most prominent aspects were:

• Offering competitive salaries: 51%
• Enhancing employee experience: 44%
• Fostering a sense of belonging among employees: 38%
• Lacking personal growth and development plans for employees: 32%
• Providing additional benefits: 29%
• Promoting a positive work environment: 22%
• Implementing flexible work models: 22%
• Inefficient internal communication: 19%
• Lacking an employee skills development and specialization plan: 17%
• Not having a strong organizational culture: 17% Read more at:

The Automotive Industry in Querétaro: A Strategic Sector

The

made the largest contribution to employment in the secondary sector of Querétaro state. This is based on data from the second quarter of 2025 from the

, which recorded 280,530 jobs during that period.

This figure surpassed the 97,566 jobs generated by the construction industry and the 7,102 jobs from the extractive and electricity sectors.

To contextualize its economic contribution, in May 2025, Querétaro’s primary export consisted of automotive vehicle parts and accessories, according to Data México.

International sales of these components reached a value of 421 billion dollars. Furthermore, the main export destination was the United States, with export values totaling 1,285 million dollars.

How to Address Challenges for the Automotive Industry?

According to the Kelly report, the sector faces a landscape with a limited supply of candidates possessing essential skills, meaning companies must commit to creative and aggressive strategies to attract and retain talent.

Additionally, with the Millennial generation comprising the majority of the sector’s workforce, companies must address new demands. These include a greater work-life balance and an environment that promotes emotional well-being.

The study also emphasizes the importance of curbing issues like discrimination and offering spaces for

, meaning companies should support hybrid or remote work.

Despite the challenges, the report also provides positive future alternatives, emphasizing that automotive industry workers are willing to develop new skills *“and most are optimistic about their professional future.” Discover more at: *

The post

first appeared on Líder Empresarial.