I think it depends on which level of the auto industry (maybe even manufacturing in general) you are at. I worked for a major manufacturer (3M) not in anything auto related, though. However, they were always asking about veteran status during hiring as I recall. Later on I worked for a lower tier manufacturer (foreign owned) that supplied parts to auto industry among other things. The best workers there, imo, were the immigrants generally though a few Americans (older) held their ground. I did not notice a high number of veterans at the lower tier manufacturer but I did at 3M. 3M implemented a vaccine mandate, but the foreign lower tier company did not. 3M had pretty fantastic "benefits" and significantly higher pay, probably unsustainable so its easier to dispose of people as they approach retirement and/or as you get ready to bring in robots.