I was wondering what level of drawing/sketching one requires if any to be an automotive designer, can this lack of ability be substituted by serious competence with drawing on and using a computer?

an ability to sketch well is still crucial in every area of industrial design, automotive included. while computer generated imagery is more common in final presentations, sketching is absolutely necessary for designers to communicate quick ideas to each other. there's no escaping it i'm affraid.

Unless you can draw circles around everyone else the answer is no.

Unfortunately alot of asipring designers think they can skip a thorough drawing foundation and go right into PS and just throw in some lens flares around.

There is no PS filter for talent. It has to be earned through mileage.

Drawing/sketching are for ideas.
computer work is for ideas already created

Since sketching/drawing is just for ideas then surely it doesnt have to be fantastic?

Iv seen sketches etc from real designers and sometimes perspective and finish can suck but no matter what, the actual 3-dimensional thinking is spot on. Sketching is like speaking a language, if you cant do it very well then people (colleagues) are guna wonder what the f$*k your on about. It is and always will be the foundation of design, especially automotive. Saying that I know people who worked better in actual 3D like clay etc.

I don't know how many times I've heard "it's all about ideas". Try to get a job in Automotive Design without being the best sketcher, and you'll see just how important it is. Some companies are interested in your 3D ability etc. - but there are specialists in these areas, your specialist area is 3D communication and outstanding sketching will certainly make anybody stand out from the crowd.

I overheard a lecturer last year telling a student "Sketching is the language of design. You're using the wrong language to describe nothing". Good ideas are a must, but they're useless without a strong sketching ability.