Since its inception, the automotive industry has been heavily dominated by men. Cars and trucks (and the technology associated with them) are traditionally considered to be masculine interests, and even with all the progress society has made to combat sexism, there's still a large gap between the number of women and men involved in vehicle production. It's a shame, too, because women have been behind some of the coolest and most successful car designs in recent history.
A sleek and functional design is one of the most important aspects when it comes to the success of a car. In fact, it has a lot to do with why these cool-looking, but economical vehicles have sold so well! However, many women who are interested in a career in art opt for jobs in interior or fashion design, since those are more commonly marketed towards them at a very young age. But thankfully, more and more ladies like this young mechanic are developing an early interest in cars and breaking down barriers in the automotive industry.
Some of the leading female vehicle designers spoke with CNN about their jobs and accomplishments, and it goes without saying that they're an inspiration to any girl or woman who has been told that something "is only for boys." Take a look at some of the cars that have been designed by women, and encourage the girls in your life to follow their dreams whatever they may be.
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1. Acura NSX
Michelle Christensen had 10 years of exterior vehicle design before being asked to design this newer, cooler version of the NSX.
2. Chrysler Pacifica
Irina Zavatski is behind the design for the 2017 model. Her passion for art ultimately led her to a high-earning career in the automotive industry.
3. Ford Mustang GT Convertible
Susan Lampinen is the group chief designer of color and materials at Ford, and has been at the forefront in the creation of models such as the Ford Explorer Platinum and the Ford Edge.
4. 2016 Nissan Titan
As a mother of two in a male-dominated industry, Diane Allen truly had to fight her way up to be an exterior designer at Nissan. In addition to the 2016 Titan, she's also worked on the Rogue and the Infiniti M5.
5. 2016 Chrysler 200
Winnie Cheung is the interior design chief at Fiat Chrysler Autos. She was once a student of graphic design and fine arts, but these days, she's designing awesome cars.
6. Volvo S90
Tisha Johnson's love of combining art and practicality has led her to be the senior director of design at Volvo. She was even able to live in Sweden for a time to work on the 2016 S90 model.
7. Toyota Prius C
Janis Ambrose Shard's position as planning manager at Toyota has enabled her to make some big decisions regarding the appearances of the vehicles they put out. She controls aspects such as the colors of the cars and the seat material and has been responsible for the brighter colors that are now available for the Prius C.
8. Toyota FT-1
Once an interior designer, Wendy Lee now uses her talents as the studio chief designer at Toyota's Calty Design Research. She's contributed a great deal to the exciting new FT-1 model.
9. Jeep Renegade
La Shirl Turner is the design chief of advance color and trim at Fiat Chrysler Autos. She's been trying to convince more young women to get into the automotive industry, and she's a big part of the reason the new Jeep Renegade's design stands out from the pack so much.
10. BMW MINI concept
Alexandra McGill, the lead designer for colors and materials at BMW Designworks, switched her career path from that of an architect to that of an automotive designer. After working on cars such as the BMW Mini, it's safe to say she made the right choice.
Make sure you SHARE these awesome cars with all the tech-savvy women you know!
