Car of the Year winners – powered by women
In 1885, Karl Benz invented the world’s first car, which he called the “Motorwagen”. However, this vehicle would probably never have come to fruition were it not for his wife, Bertha. She made an indelible contribution to the motor industry, working with him during the development of the vehicle and then testing it on her now-famous trip from Mannheim to the next town, Pforzheim, some 50 km away. That trip back in 1888 wasn’t just a jolly; she came up with some highly innovative concepts en route. Then, when she arrived home, she also told her husband what he needed to do to improve – and ultimately sell – the vehicle.
Fast-forward some 130 years from that trip … and we have the 2018 WesBank South African Car of the Year winners. Many of these vehicles have also seen a woman making a major contribution to their success.
Volvo S90 Source: Motorpress
Tisha Johnson, Senior Director of Design at Volvo, for instance, was involved in the design of the S90, which was the runner-up to the winning Porsche Panamera. She’s widely credited with the simple yet beautiful interior of the vehicle – a car can have as many as 80 buttons and dials; she got it down to nine in the Volvo S90.
Alfa Romeo Guilia Source: Motorpress
Rossella Guasco is Head of the Colour and Materials Style Centre at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), which means she’s responsible for all brands, including Alfa Romeo. She’s passionate about her profession, pointing out that “it’s not a job, it’s a way of being”. This is reflected in the distinctive and beautiful interior of the Giulia, which came third in this year’s WesBank South African Car of the Year competition. “The contrasting materials and three-dimensional surfaces are essential distinctive features that appear in the treatment of all the Giulia’s interior components,” she explains. “The vehicle has a natural theme; we have natural surface coverings which give a sense of elegance and softness.”
Caption: Porsche Panamera Source: Motorpress
Meanwhile, here in South Africa, another woman has played a key role when it comes to WesBank South African Car of the Year winner, the Porsche Panamera. Her name is Jessica Baker and she is group communications manager at Porsche South Africa. Accordingly, she is responsible for the success of the Panamera here in South Africa – which has been nothing short of astonishing.
AutoTrader motoring journalist, Anè Theron says “The Panamera is a very strong player within its segment and it is the sporty alternative within the luxury sector. South Africans – and women in particular – no longer need to drive a boring SUV if they want practicality; they can drive a sports car in the guise of the Panamera,” she points out.
Furthermore, Theron says that no one should be surprised at the extent of the influence of women in the WesBank South African Car of the Year winners and finalists. “Women play a leading role in up to 85% of car purchases; we see this reflecting in the many women who search for vehicles via AutoTrader. The motor industry is no longer a male-only domain,” Theron concludes.
Via: AutoTrader