Women Set To Be Driving Force In Car Industry

Women Set To Be Driving Force In Car Industry
The traditionally male dominated motor industry must adapt to embrace the female point of view - in all aspects of the business. This claim, made by Volvo from research figures issued today, comes as the world's first concept car developed by an all-female Volvo team goes on display at London's Business Design Centre in Islington.

The Office for National Statistics data shows that women make up 45% of the total workforce in the UK. However, within the automotive industry this figure tends to be lower, with retail and distribution disciplines around 30% and within the manufacturing sector it is even lower - at just 8%. By contrast, at Volvo's Torslanda manufacturing site in Sweden, female staff account for 27% of the workforce and 20% of all Volvo employees are female.

Also, 20% of the professional test drivers at Volvo's test circuit in Sweden are female, often undertaking this role part-time alongside other jobs, as varied as nurse, care worker, chef and logistics co-ordinator.

Within Volvo worldwide, the number of female managers currently represents 15% of the workforce, but Volvo is committed to increase this figure to 20% by 20051.

"From as early as the 1980s Volvo has had groups of female staff testing and assessing new models from a woman's point of view, but now we are ensuring we have a strong female elem