Welcome to the woman entrepreneur's world of business cars, trucks, vans,
SUVs and those fun convertibles you'd rather be driving. I'll be taking a
female-friendly approach to one of the major financial investments most
companies face: business vehicles. So what do businesswomen really want--and
need--in a new car?
According to DYG, a marketing trends research firm, men and women alike focus
on function, recreation and status when it comes to technology. But women say
they also want a rewarding experience, communication and simplification. Here's
how these elements factor into your vehicle purchase.
Function: Women want all the practical bells and whistles like
adjustable pedals, tilt and telescope steering wheels and adjustable seatbelts.
Check out GMC's Envoy and other auto manufacturers' websites to find models with
these features. J.D. Power reports that women also want memory seats, remote
engine startup, and a power lift gate to make it easier to pull down the hatch.
Recreation: Working moms need a vehicle for both weekends and
weekdays. The new crossovers, ranging from the luxury Lexus 350, GMC Acadia and
Mercedes-Benz R-Class to the budget-conscious Kia Rondo, fit the bill with
plenty of room for cargo and kids. Or check out the latest minivans, like the
Dodge Caravan, with seats that fold flat for more cargo area, and Chevrolet's
Uplander passenger van.
Communication: OnStar, a safety, navigation and communication system,
and Bluetooth are on women's wish lists. Keeping in touch with the office and
your family is simple with these new technologies. Voice command with
turn-by-turn directions and hands-free phone systems make life easier on the
road. And how about that new security device that remotely detects if someone's
in your vehicle?
Status: Your vehicle can say a lot about your company, but that
doesn't mean you have to shell out big bucks to impress clients. Shop around
online and compare the newest and sharpest-looking models. There are more than
600 vehicles to choose from, and manufacturers' websites are loaded with
graphics of interior and exterior views, as well as specifications, lists of
options, standard features and pricing.
Simplification: Do you really need that huge trunk, a third row of
seats and the latest high-tech features when all you want is a user-friendly
car? Keeping it simple suits us best. Instead of complicated gadgets, more than
62 percent of women place reliability at the top of their list, with interior
comfort coming second. Near the bottom of the list, reports J.D. Power, are
advanced technology and all-wheel-drive capability.
Some basic resources for finding cars with the best fuel economy, best
reliability and other factors are the
U.S. Department of Energy,
the National Highway Traffic
and Safety Administration and the
Environmental Protection Agency.
To compare car prices and find resale values, check out
Kelley Blue Book and
Intellichoice.
As you know, outfitting your business with the right vehicle involves making
a lot of decisions. That's why I'm here to help and will be tackling these and
other issues in future columns.