January 07th, 2010

BMW: A True Work of Art

BMW has always been considered a work of art. But in 1975 the car (a 3.0 CSL) became the canvas for artist Alexander Calder. The artist’s friend Herve Poulain, who was a racecar driver and art dealer, asked Calder to paint his car that he actually drove in Le Mans that year (he also went on the drive the Warhol BMW in 1979).

Since that time BMW has commissioned numerous artists who have brought their own unique style to the car.

In 1991 Esther Mahlangu became the first female artist to paint a BMW. Far from the world of Warhol, Lichtenstein and Rauschenberg, who have all created BMW art cars, Mahlangu hails from the Ndebele tribe in South Africa. Watch her at work painting the 525i.

Jenny Holzer was the 15th artist to paint a BMW in 1999. Her canvas was the V12LMR racecar. She decorated the car with her signature slogans, including “Protect me from what I want” which appears across the chassis. Take a look at her masterpiece.

The cars have appeared on display at the Louvre and the Bilbao Guggenheim and in New York’s Grand Central Station.

Read more about Frank Stella BMW artist and car novice.

Read More

January 06th, 2010

Rise in Female Racers in Singapore

In the past few years there has been an increase in women in Singapore who have gravitated toward racing, according to The Electric New Paper in Singapore. This is great news even though men still dominate the track. So do the female racers want special treatment?  Of course not! Rosalind Choo who races her Toyota Vios and belongs to a club for tracking enthusiasts said, “I’ve not been treated unfairly because of my gender, and I don’t feel that I should deserve advantage or handicap just because i’m a girl.” Well said Rosalind! Women in Singapore and everywhere else around the globe can hold their own on the track!

January 05th, 2010

Wedded Bliss for Female Car Buyers!

It seems as if someone is listening out there. We have a marriage announcement made in DLAW heaven—Autonation (the world’s largest automotive retailer) is partnering up with Women Certified (they help companies in selling to women) to create Car Buying Her Way. CBHW is a site  specifically tailored to women where you can purchase cars online.

Here are some of the highlights of the service:

• Pre-negotiated pricing: Not sure if this is really a plus. Although many people think women can’t/don’t like to negotiate we’re not sure if this is so true across the board. Not to mention will women really get the best deal this way?
• Personal Shopper service: Now this we like! You will be guided through the shopping process via phone/web with a personalized concierge service. Cars and concierge—yet another great combination.

Right now the service is only offered in California, Florida and Colorado but they have plans for expansion.

The press release said that while men usually look at car negotiating like “winning a ballgame” or a “wrestling match” most women looked at it like “going to the dentist.” Hmm, personally we think negotiating for a new Aston is better than a root canal. Well, we wish them the best of luck on their nuptials and a long and bright future together!

January 04th, 2010

Women Buying More Luxury Cars in Australia

Watoday.com.au, a news source servicing Western Australia, reports a rise in women in Australia buying expensive luxury cars.

So who are these women? According to the article, they are successful business women who like their cars. There’s Gerry Shaw who runs a fashion label, she’s got a Jaguar XKR (it’s her third Jag). Shaw says “Chicks who are into fashion and like to look sexy might as well have a sexy car as well to make them feel good.” You tell ‘em Gerry! There’s Christine El-Melky a telecom sales manager who bought a Ferrari 430 Spider. And Dana Dupere, a Director of a successful company and VP of the local Maserati Car Club, who owns a Maserati and an Aston.

Edward Rowe, a Maserati dealer in Australia had this to say “There used to be a tradition that as you went up the market it got increasingly male-dominated until around the $100,000 mark—then it got predominantly male. Women were concentrated in the lower and middle sections of the market. The [gradual] change has come about because more women have access to their own money…They are buying these cars because of who they are and what they’ve achieved.” You’ve come a long way baby!

January 02nd, 2010

Breaking News: Women Buy Cars

According to an article on Moneyweb, an internet site based in South Africa, women are “recession proof.” Whether or not that is true remains to be seen, however their other assertions are indeed true:

1. Women make the majority of household decisions (they report 92%)

2. Car companies do not, but should, market to women.

We at DLAW have been advocating that car companies start marketing to women for quite some time now. And no we’re not just talking minivans! Now that the global recession has hit hard perhaps they’ll take our advice. A few additional pieces of unsolicited advice: 1. You cannot market to women the same way you market to men. 2. Women like love cars…and a minivan is not a car!

The article also reported that although car sales have tanked lately that one company that was up in 2008 was VW. The writer’s conclusion: Most of VW’s buyers are women and according to him, women are recession proof.

Well, all you car companies out there if you want to sell cars, and you want to market to women give us a call—we at DLAW are happy to help you.