Car built by women for women

Volvo’s decision 14 months ago to allow hundreds of women employees to create a vehicle that suits their needs has given birth to a roomy, 215-horsepower coupe that’s easy to park, maintain and keep clean.

From the outset in December 2002, when Volvo’s top executives approved the project, every aspect of the car’s design and production has been overseen by women, a first in the car industry.

The sporty YCC concept (Your Concept Car) was shown publicly for the first time today during media preview days at the Geneva Motor Show.

Hans-Olov Olsson, president and chief executive of the Swedish car maker, said the endeavour seemed logical given that the male-dominated industry was constantly trying to attract more women buyers.

Through customer research, Olsson said, the company discovered that women want everything in a car that men want in terms of performance and styling, “plus a lot more that male car buyers have never thought to ask for”.

“We learned that if you meet women’s expectations, you exceed those for men,” he said at the unveiling.

The result - a car designed to be nearly maintenance free, requiring an oil change every 31,000 miles.

When it is time for an engine inspection, the car sends a wireless message to a local service centre, which notifies the driver. The vehicle features a race-car-like fuelling system with a roller-ball valve opening for the nozzle but no petrol cap.

The engine is a low-emission, gas-electric hybrid.

“You get the power, and you’re environmentally OK at the same time,” said Tatiana Butovitsch, the project’s communications manager.

Gull-wing doors allow easy access to space behind the driver’s seat. The bottom of the rear seats fold up, similar to theatre seating, providing more storage space.

The car also has dirt-repellent paint and glass, exchangeable seat covers with matching carpet and sensors that allow for easier parking.

Volvo, part of Ford Motor Co, has 28,159 employees worldwide, 20 percent of whom are women.

Butovitsch said the project team included five women managers and an additional 20 or so who made all calls regarding interior and exterior design. The leaders at times tapped the knowledge and insight of 400 other women who work for the carmaker.

Volvo say they have no immediate plans to mass produce the new prototype, but the company is likely to use some of its features on other vehicles.