WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California — The Volkswagen New Beetle may still be the top-selling car to women, but J.D. Power and Associates says female buyers are rapidly shifting to small crossovers, such as the Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue and Volkswagen Tiguan.
Data from the Power Information Network through mid-June shows that women make up 57.5 percent of New Beetle sales, making it the most popular vehicle among female buyers. In the number-two slot is the Volvo S60, followed by the Tucson, the Tiguan and the Rogue. "The small-crossover segment — occupied by the Tucson, Tiguan and Rogue — has taken the place of the less-expensive sporty coupe with women buyers," Tom Libby, J.D. Power and Associates senior director of industry analysis, told Inside Line.
When asked if those crossovers could now be considered "chick cars," Libby responded: "Not at all. Half of them are still bought by men. I don't consider them to be 'chick cars' that men don't want to have anything to do with."
Perhaps of more importance to the domestic auto industry is the fact that the traditional brands such as Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet "do very poorly with women," Libby noted. VW, on the other hand, is "filling a hole" with Tiguan, he said. "They have not been in the compact crossover segment. It's a reason why they have struggled in this market. But (Tiguan) fits right in with their demographic and should give a boost to the brand."
J.D. Power and Associates tracks these trends by obtaining information from sales contracts provided daily by 7,000 U.S. dealerships. "We go by first name on the sales contract," Libby noted. "If it's 'Mr. And Mrs. John Smith,' we'll count it as a male." The statistics do not include purchases where women had a major influence, but were not listed as the buyer.
What this means to you: A little statistical insight into what women really want — or at least can afford. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Data from the Power Information Network through mid-June shows that women make up 57.5 percent of New Beetle sales, making it the most popular vehicle among female buyers. In the number-two slot is the Volvo S60, followed by the Tucson, the Tiguan and the Rogue. "The small-crossover segment — occupied by the Tucson, Tiguan and Rogue — has taken the place of the less-expensive sporty coupe with women buyers," Tom Libby, J.D. Power and Associates senior director of industry analysis, told Inside Line.
When asked if those crossovers could now be considered "chick cars," Libby responded: "Not at all. Half of them are still bought by men. I don't consider them to be 'chick cars' that men don't want to have anything to do with."
Perhaps of more importance to the domestic auto industry is the fact that the traditional brands such as Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet "do very poorly with women," Libby noted. VW, on the other hand, is "filling a hole" with Tiguan, he said. "They have not been in the compact crossover segment. It's a reason why they have struggled in this market. But (Tiguan) fits right in with their demographic and should give a boost to the brand."
J.D. Power and Associates tracks these trends by obtaining information from sales contracts provided daily by 7,000 U.S. dealerships. "We go by first name on the sales contract," Libby noted. "If it's 'Mr. And Mrs. John Smith,' we'll count it as a male." The statistics do not include purchases where women had a major influence, but were not listed as the buyer.
What this means to you: A little statistical insight into what women really want — or at least can afford. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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