A Car Designed By Women

[aniken]

So what do you get if you let a team of women design a car? Volvo has finally revealed all.

It's a high-tech, dirt-repellant machine that books itself in for a service, and has headrests that can take a pony tail.

The car manufacturer says the idea for the concept car - unveiled in Switzerland - came three years ago when Marti Barletta, an American expert on female consumer patterns, told a workshop: "If you meet the expectations of women, you exceed the expectations of men."

Since more than half all Volvo buyers in the US are women and the percentage in Europe is growing, the company gave a team of 100 women a chance to come up with Your Concept Car.

And this is what they came up.

[aniken]

Earlier story:

A team of 100 women - most of whom had never designed a car before - have created a vehicle which doesn't need washing, will book itself in for a service thanks to wireless technology, and has special ports in the headrests to accommodate ponytails.

The Volvo concept car, due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show today, does not even have a bonnet. The project team figured women would never want to look at the engine, so the front end is designed to come off in one piece at the workshop.

The windows and paint are dirt repellent and the car seat covers can be easily removed and are made from material that won't shrink in the wash.

For those who think it sounds a bit patronising, Volvo is at pains to point out it rejected some "cliched requests" from female focus groups.

Suggestions that didn't make the cut included an on-board cappuccino maker and foot supports for high heeled shoes.

But there are a couple of catches to what sounds like a dream automobile.

The women spent triple the budget to build it - most concept cars cost about $2 million, this Volvo cost $6 million - even though it will never be driven.

Just as an outlandish dress is designed to attract attention at a fashion parade, but not necessarily to be worn in public, the Volvo concept car is intended to draw interest at this week's Geneva Motor Show.

The development of the gull-wing coupe (when the doors are open they appear to spread like a bird's wings) was led by a core team of nine women. It took 15 months to build.

Anna Rosen, 27, one of the project leaders, said the all-woman team was a "huge step forward not just for the car industry but for society in general".

She said she wanted the car to have the presence and attitude of a wildcat.

It is surprising it has taken this long for a mainly female team to design a car, given that womenaccount for half of all new car sales and have a say in what cars men buy in 65 per cent of purchases, according to Volvo's research.

Women are also more demanding when it comes to cars, said Volvo product planner Lex Kerssemakers. "Women are more critical and have far higher expectations than men," he said.

[Redhawk]

Yeah, and I bet it's got the speedo that says......slow, fast, really fast, oh dear, shut eyes.....etc; :lol:

Notice the consumer 'expert' was a yank, like the silly sod who gave the nod to the initial FU* (sorry!), AU design

* F uckn Ugly

[wicksy]

wtf and I bet it comes with a make up kit in the centre console and a huge fold down mirror and the doors open themselves so they don't break any nails

[Guest Butzy]

Well that's just a bit weird looking lol. What will Volvo think of next?...

[GlennAUII]

Like the "canyenero" off the simsons, the cigarette lighter will be a lipstick holder.

The engine will just be 1 bit, and it will be pink.

It will be called the "volvo barina". :lol:

[CHIPS]

LOL................

............Great to have you back Ani!! :banghead:

[lowriding]

"Women are also more demanding when it comes to cars, said Volvo product planner Lex Kerssemakers. "Women are more critical and have far higher expectations than men," he said.

What a load of horsesh$t !! Most woman I know are nowhere near as demanding as blokes when it comes to cars. Biggest female market = sub $15000 shopping carts .Most chicks I know are more than happy to drive a bog-stock Mirage , can't say the same about most guys though.

[XR8Chic]

Hey lowriding... think again...

A lot of couples I know end up getting the car/s they have based on the desires of the female in the relationship.

A mate wanted a ute - but had to get a sedan because SHE said so (incase she cant drive the kids in her car). She also demanded a smaller car (so she could park it easier) and she wanted all the safety options (air bags and all that cr@p). Poor guy ended up a Astra.

And if you think about the 2nd hand car market - females are a LOT more picky about the car they buy compared to a guy.

A guy will most often say "I want an EL Falcon" and go out and get one.

The girl will often say "I want a Grey or silver EL Falcon, with immaculate interior, no cigarette smell, nice mags, air bags, etc etc etc" and then spend months looking for one that will meet all the requirements.

If you think about it - the reasoning is very simple - the average guy will look at a car, and see what it CAN be.. and plan his mods..

The average female will want something that looks good from the beginning, and not plan to mod anything.

P.S Having said that... I think the volvo car is discusting - they must have hired the biggest bimbo's in the world to design that POS. I mean - a pony tail recess??? WTF?!?

[MISSXR]

Hey Kel,

So is my brother a girl?

The girl will often say "I want a Grey or silver EL Falcon, with immaculate interior, no cigarette smell, nice mags, air bags, etc etc etc" and then spend months looking for one that will meet all the requirements.

Geez that must mean I am a ???

A mate wanted a ute - but had to get a sedan because SHE said so (incase she cant drive the kids in her car). She also demanded a smaller car (so she could park it easier) and she wanted all the safety options (air bags and all that cr@p). Poor guy ended up a Astra.

Hmm must talk to my brother when I get home. Maybe we will have to swap