Yesterday, I got to participate in a panel discussion for women in the auto industry. The event was hosted by Lexus and Be Car Chic. It was a wonderful experience. Thanks to Melanie Batenchuk for inviting me! I shared some critical takeaways about my experience working with women and cars.
A moment ago, I did a Google search for women and cars. I was curious about what other bloggers had to say about the subject. Here’s a screenshot of the search result:
Ugh. That’s not an empowering message. To satisfy my curiosity, I searched for “men and cars.” No objectification there. Just articles about why (most) men love cars.
You Don’t Need to Be “Saved”
Disney movies tell stories about a knight in shining armor who comes along to save a damsel in distress. As a result, little girls grow up thinking they need a man to protect them.
There’s nothing wrong with having a partner — man or woman — but you should never depend on that person. Even if a woman has zero interest in cars, that’s no excuse to be ignorant.
Some women might say, “I don’t see the big deal. If I have car trouble, my brother or boyfriend or husband will take care of it. Why bother?” Answer: Because you can’t predict the future.
Maybe you’re driving a few hundred miles away for a work trip. Maybe your partner is sick, at work, or out of town. You breakdown, get stranded, and no one can come help you. Now what?
A Plea for Personal Responsibility
You need to own the situation. And you can’t own the situation unless you spend some time under the hood. You don’t have to be a mechanic. You just have to be mindful of your vehicle’s needs.
I encourage women to use their senses. Pay attention to sights, sounds, smells, and sensations. Make a note of anything odd or unusual. Get that information to an auto mechanic as soon as possible.
I also encourage women to be proactive. It’s not difficult to do your own auto safety inspection. Who needs a garage? Do it in your driveway. Check fluid levels, tire inflation, and battery condition once per month. Do that and you will prevent most car problems.
Transform the Car Shopping Experience
How can this be applied to the process of buying a car? Let’s face it. Most people (especially women) are afraid of being ripped off. Car salesmen don’t have a good reputation. A lot of women bring a man along, because they think they’ll get a better deal with a male present.
This is another case where women should own the situation. The Internet empowers consumers. Websites like Edmunds list car prices at several dealerships. If a dealer is overcharging, it should be obvious. Combine this tool — or another one like it — with online reviews and you’ll be A-okay.
Drivers are quickly gaining influence due to the growth of online tools and resources. I believe car dealers with dishonest business practices will go extinct in the future. It’s time to embrace transparency.
Want to change the conversation about women and cars?
Search engines like Google are pretty simple. The first page of results is determined by which websites receive the most traffic, bookmarks, and social media shares. If you click any of the buttons below, that will help me a bunch. Thanks for your support! 🙂
Mechanically Yours,
Audra