Volvo's 2004 YCC concept car, which was designed for and by women, certainly shows that. It has a hood that only opens for service staffers, washable seat covers and a wastebasket.

The Detroit Free Press asked marketers, car experts and drivers what makes a vehicle appeal to female buyers. There wasn't a lot of agreement.

"Overt feminization ... does turn women off," said Warner, who is also author of "The Power of the Purse: How Smart Businesses Are Adapting to the World's Most Important Consumers — Women." "Some of the things a woman wants in a car are exactly what a man wants in a car," she said.

. Attention to seat belts, air bags, stability control and crash ratings, as well as special anchors for child seats, is key. Moms have long been known to take a check list of these items to dealerships.

. Women are busy and don't have the time for maintenance. When Volvo created its YCC for women, it designed a hood to be opened only by service staff. Drivers can easily add the oil and wiper fluid in easy-to-access filler points near the driver side door — just like racing cars that are on the go.

. Automakers are getting better on this, but still have a way to go. Women tend to be smaller than men, which means pedals, rear hatches and seats need to be appropriate for a variety of sizes. Women need good visibility and the ability to reach the gas pedal or brake just as much as their male counterparts. Vehicles that are easy to get in and out of are also a plus. Who wants to climb a ladder to get into their vehicle, especially while wearing a skirt?

. Compartments and hooks to hold purses are pleasant surprises, as are supple materials, buttons that don't feel cheap and lighted mirrors. Some moms also like those mirrors to check on the kids in the backseat.

. More than a nail or two has been sullied or broken lifting a hood, closing a rear hatch, folding in a seat, screwing on a filler cap or pushing in the button on one of those old-fashioned door handles that don't lift. Easy-on-the-hands designs, with a little spring assist, are appreciated.

. Aside from the space for purses, women have stuff. Families. Jobs. Hobbies. Friends. There needs to be ample room to carry it all, with style and grace. The YCC also has a wastepaper basket.

Marlene Neme, a retired woman from Warren, Mich., said she bought her Mercury Mariner this summer for the storage. She sells Mary Kay cosmetics and has a lot of materials to tote around.

. Women don't just want vehicles that are fuel efficient and don't pollute the environment. They also want vehicles that don't get you dirty when you close the rear hatch and don't stink after little Johnnie spills his milk. Volvo YCC's answer: Easy-clean paint that's similar to the coating on a non-stick pan — dirt finds it very hard to cling on in the first place and washes off very easily.

. Yes, this is subjective. But many women keep up on the latest trends, and automakers should, too. The Mercury Milan's two-toned leather interior, with contrast stitching, was inspired by the construction of upscale handbags, shoes and leather goods sourced from around the world.

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