(FORBES) 31 October 2007:

We all know that there are cars considered to be big and manly: the larger pick up trucks, for example. We also know that there are those considered to be female: the convertible Bug, for example.

But it’s surprising to see how true this is in the numbers that actually buy them, 93% male for the F-350 and 65% female for the VW.

However, before designing cars with either sex exclusively in mind, consider the LaFemme of the 1950s. Pink upholstery with rosebuds and a matching purse, raincoat, and umbrella. A complete flop as the ladies simply weren’t interested in it and the men wouldn’t touch it with a stick. And if you alienate both those groups then the market’s really going to be pretty small.