Moss Motors, Ltd

Here is an interesting article I saw on Yahoo! about gender-specific cars and what car manufacturers are saying on the subject.

Article Here

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John Zarate-Khus
Internet Marketing Supervisor
khusj@mossmotors.com

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Thanks John,

That's interesting... It seems to me, however, that plenty of women buy cars without the offerings being steered (pun intended) towards them on the basis of gender. At least in an overt sense. However, I wonder if there is more subtle advertising/marketing at work, if we were to take a closer look at brochoures etc?

If gender specific cars were to appear on the market, I know many women (no, really I do) that would instantly take offense at the notion that they needed a "special car" for girls. My wife being one of them. She certainly does not need or want such a vehicle, and happily drives anything, a good example being our XJ6 which has a stick shift that's just out of arm's reach and a remarkably heavy clutch!

Of course, some cars become tagged as "girls" cars, and, tongue in cheek in the UK "Hairdressers" cars. The MX5 (Miata) and MGF were victims of this, amongst others - don't even mention the BMW Z3.

A study of sales figures would probably reveal a gender based preference according to types of car. I bet this is what the motor industry is most interested in trying to understand.

 

Ed

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I want my MGB

O.K. Gentlemen... I let the first post go unchallenged (and was very proud of myself) but now I feel as though I must put in my two cents. I have driven everything from a diesel crew cab to a Mercedes Kompressor to a Ford Maverick( 3 on the tree no less), I've owned a 69 Firebird, a 78 Corvette,3 MG's and numerous other fine cars. I have always been interested in cars and have always had a very large appreciation for design and function. Having said that I will admit that I am a little out of the ordinary for most females,but this is changing  and the automobile industry is seeing women as a major untapped resource.Unfortunately they still think of us as being the kind of woman that wants a "girlie" car, and are marketing to that persona. Now I'm not saying that there aren't women out there that want the very feminine car, but I think I can safely say that most of us are more interested in safety, pollution, cost, and overall performance.

When I joined my British Car Club I was the only female there that owned her own L.B.C all the other wives were co-pilots in their significant others car. Now one year later there are 5 other gals who now own their own L.B.C 's.When we go out for a club cruise they have their own cars and sometimes it's they're husbands who sit in the passenger seat!

I would like to think that in this day and age the "stereo-typical" female is an old joke and that no-one would believe she still exsists but you just need to turn on your television to know that that is not the case.We have come a long way since June Clever in her apron and pearls, but unfortunately we're not quite there yet,perhaps a woman president. Hmm that remains to be seen.

Anyway that's my rant for the day,and remember to look in your rear view mirror 'cuz we're coming up fast behind you.

Cheers...Rita

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Alive to drive British

Sorry guys...This just in...I just finished reading an article about stores now stocking PINK HANDGUNS and RIFLES so that they can cater to the "all important female market!!"

Now I'm afraid...very afraid.

Cheers...Rita

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Alive to drive British

Rita,

What's this "we're coming up fast behind you" stuff. I'm struggling to keep up. I always have. And, truth be told, so have most other guys. While I know what I like, I've never thought it was any woman's job to fulfil my dreams or desires.....But I can beg, can't I?

By the way, my wife's an excellent shot and would NOT own a pink gun!! Pay no attention to marketing turkeys. Remember the Edsel and countless other really bad ideas. The media lags behind reality. It doesn't create it, no matter what the media itself tries to tell you.

Cheers,

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

Hi Rita,

 Please don't take my comments the wrong way . I was in fact deserately trying to avoid stereotyping and enter a serious discussion. Unfortunately it seems the emphasis of my post became muddled. I don't think there is any need for gender specific cars any more than yourself. It's a dumb idea with its roots firmly in the middle class notions of the 1950's. However I did venture to suggest that the motor industry might see things differently if they could sell more cars by managing "appeal". Moreover that they might be influenced by sales data (should it be available) that indicated how different designs appeal to customers according to gender. It would not surprise me if there is motor industry marketing designed carefully to appeal accordingly to specific regions of the country and certain population demographics - age for example.

Just as important, perhaps, is the question who is (or would be) designing "cars for women"? Probably men, since I imagine that it is largely a male dominated industry with female designers in the minority. Does this mean we get a gender specific car that a male designer thinks women would like? If so, he might as well go the whole hog and fit floral curtains (drapes) cushions, a sewing kit and travel iron for all the praise it is likely to receive from the target audience! .

I'm going to ask around at work (its not a bad topic for conversation) and see what anyone here thinks about the general idea and post some feedback. Might take a day or two though.

 Cheers,

 

Ed

 edited for mix up between minority and majority, 2nd paragraph

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I want my MGB

Bloody hell! Pink handguns? they'll be selling handbags and cosmetics for men next.

 er, wait, apparently they already do... and here's me still using a carrier bag from safeway and Mobil 1 to keep my hands soft

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I want my MGB

Ed,

Oh, dear me, how positively gauche! Get with it, fellow.....

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

Long live the distinction between men and women even though it may sometimes be clouded by stereotypes and inequities. I'm sorry for movements such as the E.R.A. and N.O.W., whose quest for equality is distorted by ignorance. The two genders ARE equal now and always have been if you consider the big picture, the promulgation of the species. Neither one can do it alone, and both have unique strengths that are genetically predisposed, and crucial to the equation that fosters our success as "the human race". It's all a matter of perspective, but we both need the strengths of the other.

It may be true that the average wage for a woman is a bit less than that of a man. It may also be true that women actually wield the strength in most relationships thanks to the man's more pressing libido issues. Men and women ARE different.... they’re supposed to be! This is the beauty of of the thing, be it intelligent design or natural selection, it really doesn't matter because it is what it is, and it works!

For the Neanderthal, or Cro-Magnon man, the men hunted for meat. Quiet, quick, and focused, the men left the camp in their quest, made the kill, and brought the meat back for all in the tribe. They provided meat, that was their job because they were best suited to do it. They hunted for meat in much the same way that men today, shop for clothes! If in need of a blue shirt, a man will drive to the store, go to the blue shirt section, find his size, pay and go home.

The women back then, gathered fruit, firewood, berries and information about the terrain such as where the best water or shelter was located for instance. That was their job because they were best suited for that work. Graceful and light enough to climb a tree, accompanied by an unparalleled talent for performing redundant work, while having the intelligence to remember what was important for the success of the clan. Much the same way THEY shop today. They wander around from store to store trying on everything! They're gathering information such as where the best sales are, and which store has the best prices for specific goods, and what looks good on them. They save the clan money and provide necessary information (like which neighbor is having an affair because they also gossip while they're shopping....more info gathering). 

All of this is still very much alive in our DNA, although society's expectations would have us squash it...BALDERDASH! The genders are different and that is a good thing! We should celebrate this rather than admonish it.

I'm sorry that offering pink handguns may insult most women and I agree with your position if it does. It seems to be the very shallow offering of a very myopic mind (probably a male marketing guru). This however is nothing more than a distraction from the big picture. If pink handguns offend you, then may I suggest that instead of complaining, just don't purchase one. That's what I do whenever I see a tampon commercial.   

By the way...Isn't amazing what lengths a man will go to in his procrastination over pulling his Sprite engine? 

 

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On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"

Okay I'm going to take a deep breath now...and try to explain.

Any colour hand gun offends me and I would not buy one,as for the tampon remark I won't even go there. And yes I do believe that we are all created equal so why do we get payed less, and why when I go to the grocery store is a man's stick of deoderant larger and less money than a womens? Why is mens clothing usually less expensive when in fact there is more fabric used than in a womans? A haircut...same thing. The next time you are sharing a nice glass of merlot with the missus do some comparrison shopping I think you will be quite surprised to see how the marketing is anything but equal. I would be willing to wager that if the car manufactors where to put out a female geared gender car it would cost more than "guys" car. Why this is I don't know but I don't think women have been getting a very fair shake and marketing and advertising movers and shakers(certainly not you liberated gentlemen) still see us as a different market than men.

Men and women are different (thank godness) and I wouldn't have it any other way, and I love that fact that a woman my age can appreciate a gorgeous car or man for that matter! But what does sadden and frustrate me is the way we are percieved as a whole. The fact that someone(insert male here) thought that a gender car would appeal to women,is offensive. Would it be prettier, softer, smell nicer? Why does someone feel that as females we think that that is necessary or even desireable? Give a woman a safe vehicle so that when she is driving her children(her most precious cargo) to and from wherever, she knows that they are safe as possible,give her a car that is kinder to the enviroment, and give her good value for her money.

I'm sorry for the rant but this really hits a raw nerve with me and probably most women,but I have learned to ignore the not so subtle nuances and just chalk it up to one of the lesser injustices(is that even a word??) .

Thanks for the rant time ...think I'll go have a cuppa, and decompress

Cheers...Rita

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Alive to drive British

Cool!

It's great to see a "discussion" going on that isn't burning MY ears!

Seriously, if you guys think you've seen some long posts from me before, the one I would write in response to the two proceding would wear out three keyboards. This subject is so broad and deep I can't see how any valid point could ever be developed or proven on this forum. Let's see here, gender equality, gender bias, gender stereotypes, basic duality, sexual politics, marketing studies, handgun violence, etc.. etc...

We all tend to synthesize (I don't use the word "create". All humans do is recombine that which has already been created) things in our own image, or to reflect our egos. Men have been the designers of "things" for most of the ages. That's why when men try to market to women, they usually get it bass ackwards. Time will change things, but the process is very slow, like our wits.

You both make some valid points, in my opinion. You both also miss the mark here and there. Again, only my opinion. But my, oh, my, how I want to stay out of this one. Let's talk cars. By the way, John ZK is responsible for starting this. Shall we lock him out of the pub for the night?....... 

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

 

...only if we can have a "lock in" Bill!

 I miss England sometimes. Always look for a pub with curtains....

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I want my MGB

Rita, your post reminded me how surprised I once was by product pricing according to gender market. Deodorant sticks in fact. Two sticks of the exact same product content, identical labeling, identical price except one was in the womens section of the shelf, the other in the mens. However the womens product contained 40 ml and the mens 50 ml. So you have the option to get 20% less for the same price! Cynical or what?

Oh, and I mentioned to my wife the idea of "gender specific" cars. Her reaction....

"What? That's dumb"

 This reminds me of a Volvo concept/project that made the news in the UK a few years

Here's the original BBC article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3528757.stmago.

This was a car aimed at women - perhaps the most insulting feature was that there would be no user servicable items, just a "take me to my dealership" light - the owner could not lift the bonnet! At least you could colour co-ordinate it's soft furnishings though.

you bet it looks expensive...

 

Ed

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I want my MGB

Folks,

Now if you want to have a fun discussion, I suggest we talk about the gender OF cars. I'll start the ball rolling. MGAs, my favorite Abingdon product, are for me a feminine thing indeed. Curved just right and graceful in action. OK, come and get me.

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Motorbill
From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon

My wife and I had this discussion, oddly enough.

I proposed that as a general rule, american (sports) cars were generally masculine, whilst British and european cars were generally feminine. Of course there are exceptions - the graceful lines of the early Corvettes perhaps?

Ed

 

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I want my MGB