Dani Ben-Ari

Women have always influenced the actual development of the auto industry, from Bertha Benz (see http://www.examiner.com/article/mother-of-the-automobile) and Alice Huyler Ramsey (the first woman to drive across the continental United States in 1909) to racing legend Danica Patrick. Now, for the first time in history women not only outnumber male drivers by nearly one million. And the gender gap among motorists is only expected to increase as the number of teenagers and young adults behind the wheel continues to decline, according to a study by the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute.

“This changing demographic will have major implications on the extent and nature of vehicle demand, energy consumption and road safety,” commented study author Michael Sivak, who noted that “women are more likely to purchase smaller, safer and more fuel-efficient cars; to drive less, and to have lower fatality rates per distance driving.

It should also be noted that as of 2010, women not only bought 65 percent of all vehicles sold in the U.S., but were credited with influencing over 80 percent of all vehicle purchases-including accessories-with those between 40-50 years old buying the most. Next come the 30-40 year olds, followed by 50-60 year olds, followed by those under 30 years of age. Last come women over 60.*

Although some experts speculate that the growing use of the internet may be part of the decline in younger drivers, a more persuasive reason may lie in the eroding economy, including the fact that there is much more unemployment for 16-24 year olds than a generation ago. Als0, the enormous rise in insurance premiums for young males under 25, not to mention gas prices and high costs of maintaining vehicles in general, are also reasons for the decline in younger drivers.

*For more information readers are encouraged to check out Car Ownership For Women by Dani Ben-Ari, currently available on Amazon.com and other online book vendors.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Â