MOTORING
experience falls by the wayside – a topic laughed off as being within the husband’s terrain. When it comes to the manual and automatic debate, changing driving habits and increased traffic mean that more people are choosing to buy auto for their ease and convenience. However, research suggests that male drivers prefer manual transmissions since they are often associated with more control and a real driving experience. I tend to agree on this account, especially considering automatic cars are typically more expensive to insure due to more costly and harder-to-replace parts, as reported by Ocean Finance, Axa and Money Supermarket. What about colour and design? Regardless of gender, the majority of buyers opt for silver, grey or black, yet research substantiates the view that men usually show more interest in the engine capacity, speed, horsepower and overall performance of the car over aesthetics. While this doesn’t mean women aren’t interested in these features, Autocar confirms their buying decisions are more likely to be influenced by security, comfort and practicality, particularly higher safety ratings and additional features like rear- view cameras, anti-lock brakes, airbags and high-tech crash-prevention systems. I joke that this may be why men have more road accidents than women – shockingly, according to the Department for Transport (DfT), 78% of road fatalities in 2023 were male. Meanwhile, data from road safety charity Brake states that men are three times as likely to break the speed limit compared to women. According to The Priority Report commission by Axa in 2023, interior features and in-car technology – such as entertainment systems, sophisticated control panels and navigation systems – are far more important to men. Women, on the other hand, put seat comfort, spaciousness and easy access to controls higher up the list. I personally barely touch the controls in my car beyond the basic ones. I didn’t even know I had air conditioning until suffering a three-hour drive in 30°C heat with the windows open! On the topic of the drive towards electrification, EVs split the table, but range anxiety and a distrust for Tesla Women put seat comfort, spaciousness and easy access to controls high up the list
AUTO ICONS Research suggests that women generally prioritise a car’s practicality over its performance
seem to be common factors – particularly thanks to the latter having its own special charger that isn’t generic. Even though a study by Ebay Motors Group found one in two buyers (51%) expect their next car purchase to be an EV or hybrid, this statistic is heavily weighted towards men, accounting for over six in ten vehicles. How this fast-paced trend continues, and how well women will be marketed to and accommodated for in this ever-shifting dynamic, only time will tell.
58 MARCH 2024 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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