Apples for Health- Gender Drives Car Buying

Gender Drives Car Buying

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Nov. 5 (UPI) -- If a truck�s built "Ford tough," chances are it�s owned by a man; but with a sunflower-yellow VW, expect to see a female at the wheel, market researchers say.

"Some cars are more masculine or feminine by nature," Jim Hossick, vice president of AutoPacific, an auto industry market research firm, told Forbes.com.

The firm found that nine of 10 heavy-duty pickup trucks, like Chevrolet�s Silverado, are owned by men, while women trend toward Saturn, Honda and Volkswagen vehicles, Forbes.com reported.

The auto gender disparities result from marketing and design. While auto manufacturers often try to accommodate both genders, features like hefty door handles on, say, the Dodge Ram, accommodate men�s gloved hands, making those vehicles more appealing to big guys. Ads featuring truck-driving cowboys add to the male momentum.

Automakers don�t overtly market to the sexes. Previous attempts have failed: Sales of the 1950s Dodge LaFemme -- with lipstick holder, rosebud upholstery and matching raincoat -- were an abysmal 2,500.

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