As soon as the first car show appeared in a French Hotel in 1886 as it featured 6 cars in a lobby. From then on it has grown to a tour of automobiles from every automaker globally competing for a wonderful showcase of their industry. After the second world war when the automobile industry started to increase model range(size) and expand into more then just basic function as technology followed the impotence of style came into affect forever changing the competition between companies.
To sell a vehicle to a society growing up fast the car companies had to stand out among each other so they heavily incorporated design into their products. As the market studies would show time and time again that "sex sells" automotive companies would soon follow.
As 'sexy' came into affect among the car industry so did those all those car models, or "booth professionals", came onto the scene at every car show, meet, and photo shoot you could possibly lay your eyes on. The association of women and cars implied that if you own this type of car, you'll get this type of girl. usually an over the top model with exaggerated features and loads of makeup would be the ones selected to pose and glorify the machinery they were standing next to. Like a mannequin, these women are used to stand next to the car, which I might add is an not even alive, as people (mostly guys) walk guy and stare looking up and down of each the car and the girl.
This problem of women being exploited as "eye candy" for guys at car shows has recently been addressed as more and more models are being harassed by on-lookers with crude and sexual comments towards them. At the birthplace of American automobiles and the worlds first mass produced vehicle ever, the Ford Model T, at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show (dates:1/16-24/2010) car models banded together to created a list on how one should respect a car model after a FOX news reporter rudely asked a booth professional things like if she "came with the car" and "I hope you can't read what my eyes are saying." This interview was posted online for the world to see and was quickly pulled off via the reporters embarrassment. The model just rolled her eyes and walked off without saying ANYTHING. A great way to silently slap the man in the face leaving with her dignity in full.
Detailed story Here: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/18/video-reporter-gets-deservedly-dissed-by-chrysler-model/
The models shortly after came up with a list detailing how to treat someone of their stature so you don't end up sexually harassing a high profile model. the list included things like: ask me about the car, not myself and my eyes are up here, buddy. It's especially sad to see it was a FOX reporter and not just another random guy. The reporter and the model were both at work when this happened. Very professional of him.
The connection here is the association of sex and women.The car industry does nothing but support this as they will time and time again use sexy models to show off their cars for a boost in sales as design is really now how to sell a car, especially in an economy where only the best stand out. It's a shame how women are exploited and categorized into sex which further pushes the social view or aspect of women in this category. The problem in this debacle is the fact our society see's that cars = money = power = sex appeal = women. They need to subtract women from the car equation! ... or find a healthy solution.
Nice job analyzing an industry that we haven't talked about, using the news media to support your points. I'd like to see a clearer connection to course concepts, and don't forget to label you blog entries with the course concepts you are highlighting! For next time, try to work those concepts into the entry and really apply them to the topic. For example, you could have used the concept of objectification, and talked about why there may be a connection between the objectification of car models (by being equated with an inanimate car) and the sexual harassment they experience.
ReplyDeleteBe sure to proofread your posts.