Skip to main content

Frontiers of Engineering Reports on Leading Edge Engineering from the 1996 NAE Symposium on Frontiers of Engineering (1997) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

Designing Vehicles in Changing Times
Pages 3-8

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 3...
... Not only do women influence consumer purchases, but they often are the primary decision makers in the purchase process whether that purchase is an automobile, real estate, soft goods, hardware, or health care. Industry must refine its perspective of the female customer.
Read the entire page →
From page 4...
... , and strength. Secondary design issues focus on the following: usage, which addresses not only practicality but also such safety and security concerns as antilock brakes, airbags, power locks, delayed lighting, cellular phones, and child seats; functionality, which includes such things as ease of entry and egress; and affordability, which includes quality, perceived value and price, and motivation.
Read the entire page →
From page 5...
... The stereotypic treatment of tertiary design issues can be seen in the introduction in the 1950s of La Femme, a car designed "for women only." With its tea-rose brocade interior and matching hat and handbag, La Femme designers and engineers addressed fashion or tertiary gender-design issues only, and they failed to understand what women really wanted and needed. OTHER INDUSTRIES FACE SAME ISSUES Today, many companies are responding to the increasing impact of women in the marketplace.
Read the entire page →
From page 6...
... As a result, the computer industry has revised the software bundles it loads into home computers. For example, PCs are packaged with many more programs keyed to women: programs that plan a family vacation and that keep track of key dates and financial records, as well as programs to support home-based businesses, which Trendata acknowledges that women are more likely to own than men.
Read the entire page →
From page 7...
... The lumbar seat support that is now popular in many models originally was designed for the comfort of pregnant women. The Windstar's easy-lift hood, easy-access engine maintenance points, low step-in height, and exterior door handles are features that reflect gender-based design.
Read the entire page →
From page 8...
... 8 DESIGN RESEARCH The impact of societal evolution is not confined to the automotive industry. All companies and the designers and engineers whose jobs are to create commercially successful products must be both attentive to changing demographics and vigilant in addressing their customers' evolving demands and desires.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • tertiary design
  • pulse study
  • women tend
  • automotive industry
  • primary design

  • instrument panel
  • issues focus
  • door handles
  • computer industry
  • marketing committee

  • cellular phones
  • security concerns
  • child seats
  • ford motor
  • wiper blades

  • power locks
  • antilock brakes
  • motor company
  • design features
  • ford ranger

  • fashion orientation
  • household income
  • women perceive
  • personal security
  • gillette discovered

  • juice boxes
  • lucrative videogame
  • engineers addressed
  • aerobic models
  • shaving strokes


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.