The long-standing and often unfounded myths about women’s relationship with cars continue to perpetuate gender biases, creating obstacles that range from condescension at the dealership to underestimated skills on the road. This article aims to put the brakes on these misconceptions.
Contents
Myth: Women Aren’t Interested in Cars
One common misconception is that women have little to no interest in cars. However, a study by the University of Michigan found that women now account for nearly half of all drivers in the United States. Plus, according to various reports, women influence up to 85% of all car purchases. Clearly, women are interested and active participants in the automotive world.
Myth: Women Don’t Know How to Maintain Cars
The stereotype that women are clueless about car maintenance is outdated and incorrect. A 2018 study by the Car Care Council found that 89% of women have some involvement in the decision-making process for their household’s vehicle maintenance and repair. Many women are well-informed about what their cars need and how to care for them.
Myth: Women Only Care About the Color and Aesthetic
This trivializes women’s capacity for understanding automotive features and capabilities. While aesthetics may be a consideration, women, like men, are interested in various factors such as performance, safety features, and reliability when choosing a car.
Myth: Women Can’t Drive Well
Despite the pervasive stereotype, statistics often show women are safer drivers than men. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), men are more likely to engage in risky behavior like not wearing seat belts, speeding, or driving under the influence, which results in higher rates of crashes and fatalities.
Myth: Women Don’t Buy Sports Cars
Contrary to popular belief, women do buy sports cars. According to an analysis by Edmunds, women accounted for about 23% of all Ford Mustangs sold and roughly 19% of Chevrolet Camaros. This busts the myth that sports cars are a “guy thing.”
Myth: Women Are More Likely to Get Ripped Off at Repair Shops
While it’s true that some unscrupulous mechanics might try to take advantage of women, a 2013 study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that women who show they are well-informed about market prices are less likely to get overcharged.
Myth: Women Only Like Small Cars
This stereotype doesn’t hold up against current trends and statistics. According to the IIHS, many women prefer SUVs and crossovers, primarily because they are considered safer and more practical, especially for families.
Myth: Women Aren’t Involved in the Auto Industry
Although the auto industry has been male-dominated, women have been making significant strides. Companies like General Motors have women in high executive roles—Mary Barra is the CEO. In fact, women make up about 25% of the automotive workforce, according to Catalyst, a global nonprofit that helps build workplaces that work for women.
Myth: Women Don’t Race or Enjoy Motorsports
Women have been involved in auto racing for decades, from Helle Nice in the 1920s and 30s to Michèle Mouton in the 1980s, and more recently, drivers like Danica Patrick and Hailie Deegan. Women are increasingly participating and succeeding in various forms of motorsport around the world.
Myth: Women Are Only Passengers, Not Drivers
This is particularly misleading because, according to Federal Highway Administration data, the number of women with driver’s licenses in the U.S. has consistently outpaced men since the mid-1990s. Women are often the primary drivers in their households, driving children to school, going to work, and running errands, just like men.
This article originally appeared on MyCarMakesNoise.
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