The Automotive Division is the heart of the Motor Industry. The Division is one of the first Divisions that were introduced when Polytechnics were introduced to this country, and was founded and located between 4Th Street and 7th Street in Harare Central Business District around 1919 by Hurbet L. Davis, who sought to train apprentices. The Automotive Division was once headed by the late former Harare Polytechnic College Principal Engineer Raza, who joined the division as an Engineering Mathematics Lecturer. The division is charged with teaching technical skills to contribute to the socio-economic and technological demands of the Automotive Industry sectors locally and beyond Zimbabwe.

The Automotive Division has two departments, which are the Motor Mechanics Department and Motor Ancillary Department. The Motor Mechanics Department specifically specializes in motor mechanics only, while the motor ancillary department has the following areas of specialization; Motor Vehicle Body Repairs and Refurbishment, Motorcycle Mechanics, Precision Machining, Diesel Plant Fitting and Automobile Electrics and Electronics.

The division enrolls an average of 500 students per year and has a staff complement of 44 members. The division has high-end, state-of-the-art training equipment that enables it to equip students with the latest technologies. The division comprises highly skilled lecturers and workshop technicians who are experts in research and problem-solving. The division has, over the years, developed competent graduates who have helped solve challenges confronting the automotive engineering industry. Several of them have gone on to have an impact internationally, including in countries such as New Zealand and Australia, among others.

The division is known for producing highly skilled graduates and has trained apprentices from reputable organizations which among many include; DELTA, Croco Motors, Toyota Zimbabwe, ZIMOCO, AMTEC, SANDVIK, FARMEC, COLBRO Transport, DULY Motors, Nissan Clover Leaf and CMED.

The division has taken a lead in innovation with its Auto-Gas project, which has seen it produce cars powered by both petrol and gas. The project was made possible through a partnership between Harare Polytechnic College and THLD Company in 2019. Through this innovation, Harare Polytechnic has a petrol vehicle that was transformed to use gas, and it operates efficiently. Many motorists are bringing their vehicles to be fitted with this technology innovation.