Research transportation design schools. While ideally you would like a school close to you, it is more important that a school is located nearby a car company headquarters, or has established connections in the industry. Talk to current students and alumni if possible, determine what internships or study-programs might be available with nearby car companies, and decide which option is best for you. Understand that most prestigious car companies will not be hiring new graduates to design their cars. Instead they will be looking to hire established car designers that have proven their abilities at other car companies first.
Narrow your list of schools and prepare the necessary requirements for admission. Most design schools will want to see a strong high school record, including art and design classes. Nearly all design schools will want to see your natural abilities through 2-D artwork. Just because you are wanting to design cars in school, does not mean that all of your submitted work should be sketches of cars. Show variety in your submitted work. This is more likely to make you stand out in the admissions process.
Contact car companies while attending school, and inquire about potential internship programs or summer jobs. Some companies may also participate in work-study programs or tuition reimbursement if they are impressed with your work. Set your sights high, but do not scoff at any company willing to offer you a position. In the car design field, experience is priceless, and getting your foot in the door is the first step to launching a career.
Assemble a portfolio of some of your best designs in college, and be sure to exhibit different techniques. When you apply for a job in car design, car companies will want to see diversity in design skills. Consider taking foreign language classes in college. Car designers often travel the world to promote ideas and learn from other designers. The ability to speak more than one language is valuable to car companies and will set you apart from your peers.
Contact car companies that you are interested in working at while you are still in school. Do not assume that you will have a position waiting for you just because you interned at a company. Many times, car companies will not have openings available, even if they liked you as an employee. Apply to as many car companies as you can. Jobs will be hard to come by, and if you do not apply, you will not get a job. Remember that getting your foot in the door is the most important step when coming out of a design program, not salary.