December 28th, 2010

Sabine Schmitz Works to Save the Nurburgring

Nürburgring Norschleife, one of the most iconic tracks in the world, is in danger of closing.

According to SavetheRing.org the track is nearly a half a million euros in debt. Apparently, the German government along with some private investors built a mammoth amusement park next to the track. The debt of the amusement park is now effecting the track.

Sabine Schmitz, the “Queen of the Nurburgring,” who has driven around the Ring over 20,000 times in her BMW Ring taxi filmed a holiday video asking people to help save the ring by joining the save the ring facebook page. We’ve already signed up. If you want to join us and over 35,000 other racing fans, click here.

December 21st, 2010

Karl Lagerfeld to Star in New VW Ad

We here at DriveLikeAWoman are big fans of Mr. Lagerfeld. Um, how can you not love a man who makes fur helmets! So, we simply cannot contain ourselves awaiting the new Volkswagen commercial starring the one and only KL.

The ad will air tomorrow, Wednesday December 22, in Germany. It was shot in Berlin by director Johan Renck, who’s shot music videos for Madonna.

According to Forbes, “The 30-second spot features Lagerfeld as a paparazzo version of himself, shooting VW cars while he muses about them under his breath.”

First the Pirelli calendar now this! Our car-loving, Chanel-creating Karl we salute you!

December 19th, 2010

In America More Women than Men Lease Luxury Cars

In an article by Lynnette Khalfani-Cox on WalletPop.com she talks about how more young women than young men are leasing cars. She quotes to leasetrader.com, which says that on their website “51.2% of women under 30 drive a luxury vehicle compared with 42.6% back in 2005.”

Khalfani-Cox attributes the rise to two factors:
1. Women are better educate and points out that over 50% of the doctorate degrees are earned by women.
2. Women between 22-30 earn 8% more than men in metropolitan areas.

The article quotes Sergio Stiberman, CEO and founder of LeaseTrader.com “The shift in driving power has been progressing over the last few years on the LeaseTrader.com marketplace as more women take a greater interest in what they drive. Especially as it relates to education, young women commanding higher salaries are becoming a larger customer base in shopping and trading for luxury leases.”

This quote could be applied to other emerging markets as well. We’re seeing this shift not just in America but also around the globe. DriveLikeAWoman has posted stories about the rise of female car buyers in China and India.

December 17th, 2010

Paris Hilton Has a New MotoGP Team…Yes, Seriously!

Yes that’s right, Paris Hilton is the newest owner of a moto GP team. The team is officially called SuperMartxé VIP by Paris Hilton, named after her Ibiza-based dance-party series. She will team up with the Barcelona-based team By Queroseno Racing (BQR). The team will compete in the 2011 125cc World Championship.

Hilton picked a good team to partner with as 15-year-old BQR racer Maverick Viñales won the Spanish national and European 125cc championships earlier this year.

The team will kick-off their official launch tomorrow night in Madrid. Ms. Hilton will be in attendance. She will also attend several of the races during the season.

No word as to whether the team colors will be pink.

December 14th, 2010

Ever Wonder What it Was Like for Women Driving in 1910?

We uncovered this article from May 15, 1910 which originally appeared in the “Hospitality” social column of the Fort Smith Times Record.

While women are referred to as “maids and matrons” it is actually quite a positive article. The article says that women driving “seems quite the natural thing, but as a matter of fact this city counts an exceptionally large number of women who are devotees of the throttle and the spark.”

The cars mentioned were equally as exciting as the ladies driving them. Several women drove the White Steamer. Also mentioned was the Velie (the company was owned by the grandson of John Deere) and the Franklin (the founder Herbert Franklin invented die-casting).

December 09th, 2010

Female Auto Electrician in Zambia

Misozi Banda, 27, is one of only a few female auto electricians in Zambia (and really, probably anywhere). Initially she wanted to study business administration but it was her father her encouraged her to “study something challenging.” She decided to to study mechanics instead.

Two years ago she applied for a job at an auto shop but the owner said he was not looking for a secretary. Eventually he gave her the job as an auto mechanic.

According to the Post Zambia, when asked if she’s treated differently because she’s a woman she had this to say, “I have the best work mates anyone can ever ask for. They treat me the same and when I am with them, I am one of the guys.” She goes on to say, “I know it’s hard for a woman to be treated the same as her male counterparts in a workplace. But it’s the determination to make it that will change that kind of a situation.”

Banda had this to say about her journey. “I believe so much that a woman can do anything. We are capable of succeeding in whatever society thinks we cannot. All that we should do is work hard and show that we are able to face any challenge presented to us.” We couldn’t have said it better, thanks Misozi!

December 06th, 2010

New Non-Profit Helps Single Moms Get A Car

Molly Cantrell-Kraig has just started a new non-profit called Women With Drive that helps single moms get a car. The non-profit will loan women a car for 2 years including paying for maintenance and helping them work toward being self-sufficient. The women will be responsible for bringing the car in for repairs and paying insurance, licensing and gas. The organization will also teach women practical skills such as basic auto car and how to change a flat tire.

Cantrell-Kraig started the non-profit because she knows first-hand how hard it can be to buy and maintain a car. She was a divorced mother of three and also was selling cars at the time. Cantrell-Kraig had this to say in the Muscatine Journal “I saw this was a need that wasn’t being met. I have the capacity and connections to help empower others in this area.” She hopes to begin loaning out cars by late January 2011.

For more information about the program contact:
Phone: 563-264-3863
You can also donate to Women With Drive at the Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine
208 W. Second St., Suite 213, Muscatine, IA 52761