Analysis: Multiple OEMs Lacking Female Directors, Execs

Feb. 22, 2018—A recent infographic produced by Just Tyres has brought to light just how few women work in front-office roles for auto manufacturers.

While the auto industry’s low number of overall female workers (16 percent of the industry) has been well-documented, the infographic indicated that the dearth of females extends to the highest levels of management for OEMs.

Case in point: three such companies—Toyota, Nissan, and SAIC—lacked even a single female on their Board of Directors. Toyota lacked even one female executive.

The infographic, which was largely compiled from Wall Street Journal data and that noted on OEMs' company websites, focused on the top 10 automotive companies around the globe.

And, of those industry leaders, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles had the most women in front office roles. Twenty-seven percent of the Board of Directors at FCA are female, and 38 percent of the company’s eight executives are also female.

Meanwhile, Mary Barra has been the chair and CEO of General Motors since 2014, and was the first female CEO of a major global automaker, as noted by BOSS Magazine. GM currently has the highest percentage of women on its Board of Directors, with 50 percent of those seats belonging to women.