Car Culture

Prius-Hummer
Reading about the different people and celebrities who purchase what kinds of cars was very interesting. One would think that since celebrities are so wealthy they would want something that is as "expensive" as they are. Hummers obviously were the main attraction of cars in this story. Other than the expensive cars that some celebrities like to be seen in, the new second generation Prius was the other car that seemed to be very popular among the celebrities. However, it seemed to me that since the celebrities were driving these cars only as loaners, that they would normally not be driving these to any affairs or events, such as the Vanity Fair Party. If not for the loaners, they would probably be showing up in flashy hummers or other big cars.

Women Giving Directions
It was very interesting to me to read and find out that women consumers rule the U.S. Auto market. Women are directly respsonsible for the purchase of 50 percent of all new cars and trucks sold in the United States. Overall, according to a study, women influence the purchases of 85 percent of the new vehicles annualy sold in the United States. The study said that "If the woman of the house does not want a certain vehicle in the driveway, it is not likely to wind up there." I actually agree with this, because I know at my house that is a true statement. If my mom does not want a certain car, chances are very high that my family would not be purchasing the car. This story surprised me, because I have always thought that men were the ones more interested in cars and more likely to sway the market of what sells and what doesn't, and whats popular and whats not. When thought about though, the women are most always thinking about whats the best and safest for their family and not just themselves in general. There was also talks about certain cars designed for own personal needs, such as a car that has personal stowing space for things such as a womans purse and an umbrella. Or when the car door opens, the seat rises so the driver does not have to completely lower themselves into the car. A woman interviewed said that while these things were nice, they are uneccesary in her purchase. Lastly, woman want to be original in their purchases. "I don't want to be a part of somebody's everybody's got one parade. I want something different, something that looks good on me, something exclusive."

Love it or Hate it Category
This article was about different types of cars in different shapes and sizes. It mentioned "ugly" cars such as the Scion XB and The Pontiac Aztek. This article stated that "ugly sells." When I read that I was very confused as to why they would say that. After thinking about it I realized that today people are so concerned with standing out instead of blending in that purchasing one of these cars is the perfect way to do so. The article said that it was okay to have large groups of people hate what they sell, as long as that many more love what they sell."

My life, My Cadillac
This article was really fun to read. It reminded me of the show My Super Sweet 16 when the girls get whatever kind of car they want. This girl, instead of a Mercedes or a BMW, wanted a Cadillac pickup truck. She said that all her life she had been raised differently, she had always been a daddys girl but in a different way. When she was little she would want car magazines from the store. She said that she wanted a pickup truck because of the "feminism" factor. Usually guys have them, and when girls have them, the boys notice them more because they are in something they enjoy as well. They say its a "win-win." I feel very different than the girl in this article who did get the truck she wanted when she turned 16. I would never want a truck that big, not because I look at them as a "boyish" car, but because they are so big I would feel uncomfortable driving one.