Frequently readers inquire as to what features have been designed for cars specifically to meet the needs of the woman driver. Many features have been implemented that impact women and it is a good start. However, there is room for improvement. Most of the changes made to cars to make them more functional and comfortable to women are modifications to existing systems -- not whole new features.
Automakers are putting more convenience features into vehicles because women expect them. Women tend not buy into the idea that cars have feature packages, which include features the purchaser does not want in order to get the desired features. Automakers are therefore reducing the number of versions of vehicles marketed, making them easier to purchase. This is in part due to women buying more cars while preferring not to haggle over each and every little feature to be included.
Some important vehicle changes for the women's market include:
Electric Pedal Extenders in the current Fords. These will be available throughout the product line over the next few years. They help shorter stature drivers sit far enough away from the steering column for the airbags to deploy properly. Ford is doing extremely well with this feature. It is very popular.
Gentler liftgate -- so the person operating it doesn't get hit in the chin when opening the liftgate or whack themselves on the nose when closing it.
Height adjustable seats to facilitate drivers of differing sizes and weights.
Higher quality interior materials and textures. Women learn early to determine quality by feel. Some automakers have realized the negative subliminal effect of poor quality fabrics, leather, vinyl and plastics. Women touch everything when shopping -- that's part of how a woman decides if the vehicle has a comfortable level of quality, fit and finish.
Buttons, knobs, levers and handles designed for smaller, more sensitive fingers and hands. Long nails are not as likely to get caught in things.
Mechanical changes and better reliability. A major complaint among women is how unpleasant it is to have their cars serviced. In response to that complaint, automakers are attempting to make their vehicles more reliable and have longer intervals between tune-ups, fluid changes and brake repairs. This is the same reason we've seen the introduction of run-flat tires. Women don't have time to worry about unexpected repairs (though in the U.S. they make up 65% of all people purchasing maintenance and service) or being stranded on the side of the road.
Package holders for grocery shopping.
Removable and fold-flat seats for carrying more stuff and making vehicles more versatile.
Sports Cars -- the Miata, Z3 and Boxster products are women's cars. Even though the automakers won't admit women buy over 50% of these vehicles, they do purchase sports cars. These vehicles fit women's bodies (I pity the 6'2" fellow driving the Miata or Z3) and are priced to be affordable to female professionals. Gals are driving that market -- no pun intended.
Dual climate control. All passengers can be comfortable.
Dual radio, stereo and CD systems for women who drive their children around a lot and don't care to hear Barney for the 1,000th time.
User-friendly vehicles for women have come a long way. However, there is still room for improvement.
Seat-belt latches need to be redesigned. They still catch nails and delicate fingers.
Seats for wider hips are still scarce -- although there have been some improvements in cars the automakers target to women.
Selling "sporty" to women -- if the automakers would do it, women would buy it.
Higher quality product -- many automakers still produce cars that break down too often.
Fix the unpleasant dealership experience.
