Yes there are differences. Automotive building are the vehicle builders main project and product development ie. Audi, VW, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Tesla, Mazda etc.

But they don't make everything themselves. They will identify 1st tier suppliers in their supply chain who design and produce engines parts, transmissions, chassis parts, electronic parts to them. These 1st tier suppliers also don't make everything themselves and they award contracts to their 2nd tier suppliers like gear makers, housing makers, connectors, oil seals, bearings, vane makers. The 2nd tier suppliers award contracts to 3rd tier suppliers who provide processes like plating, stamping, molding, cutting, dicing, etching etc... They are all part of the automotive industry and joining either of them is as good as being in the automotive industry. There are 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier suppliers in Singapore. If you are interested to join them, you can consider companies like Eaton, Schaeffler Group, Continental, Aptive, Borg Warner, Bosch etc... And no, we usually don't hire fresh grads.