Automotive engineering is a branch of mechanical engineering. This field covers the design, construction, simulation and functioning of the whole system of a vehicle and its individual components. Automotive engineering is usually associated with motor cars only, although it is concerned with all types of prime movers, such as bicycles, motorcycles, motor cars, commercial vehicles, rolling stock, aircraft and machines.

Among the key areas of automotive engineering are the constantly evolving fields of engine and drive technology, chassis design and construction, solutions to improve active and passive security through advanced driver assistance systems, such as ABS, TCS, ESC, BA and ACC, as well as the development of advanced navigation systems and telecommunication systems for vehicles. Research and development in automotive engineering also includes vehicle simulation technology, e.g. crash tests, and technical acoustics inside and outside a vehicle.