“How many women turn up their noses at automotive because they see it as a man’s business? There are some ladies out there who feel that way,” said Isabelle Helms, vice president of research and market intelligence at Cox Automotive, of Atlanta. “I think having more women at dealerships can only be a good thing for car shoppers.”
Women are particularly good at putting customers at ease in the F&I department, said Linda Barnette, the founder of Fifth Gear Sales in Palm Beach, Fla., a firm that trains and consults with vendors that pitch goods and services to dealerships.