There are 21% more lady drivers on UK roads than 10 years ago, a record high according to new figures from the Society of Modern Manufacturers and Trader.

Female car ownership has risen twice as fast as male ownership, with 11.8 million women registered keepers of vehicles in the UK at the end of 2017. Now more than a third of the 34.7 million vehicles on UK roads are owned by women.

While male vehicle ownership rose by 10 per cent over the same period, it is the increase in female ownership that could challenge the status quo of the motor industry. Previous studies have suggested the women have often felt intimidated and alienated by the motor industry, with issues from vehicle advertising to the experience of buying in dealerships.

A 2017 Daily Mail survey of 1,200 readers found that less than a third of women thought that advertising in the motor industry was not aimed at them, despite women being joint or solely responsible for choosing the car when a couple purchases a car.

The SMMT survey also revealed that more drivers than ever are purchasing automatic gearboxes, up 71 per cent from 2007. The biggest significant change in the industry was the rise in sales of SUV, a huge 90 per cent rise in the purchasing of the crossover vehicles.

But it’s the uplift in female ownership which the SMMT is suggesting that should make the industry take note.

“Consumers are enjoying greater freedom and mobility than ever before, which along with greater reliability and improved fuel efficiency, make owning a car a more attractive and affordable option for millions of people,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.

“With every new model launched, more motorists are benefitting from more advanced technology. From innovative safety systems such as autonomous emergency braking and adaptive speed control, to state-of-the-art infotainment and comfort features, including heads-up navigation, heated seats and air-con, in-car WiFi and greater connectivity.”

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