The sporty new 2007 Saturn Sky two-seat convertible has generated the most interest among gay and lesbian car shoppers and enthusiasts, according to Gaywheels.com, the first automotive Web site specifically targeted to the GLBT community.
Revealing for the first time specifically which vehicles the GLBT consumer is considering, Gaywheels.com has released its list of Top 10 Most Researched Vehicles.
“There are many stereotypes about what we as a community drive and to a certain extent, stereotypes are based on the most visible members of our community. The reality is that we live and work everywhere in the U.S. and we are as diverse as the rest of the population,” says Joe LaMuraglia, founder of Gaywheels.com. “With that said, the vehicles that the Gaywheels.com user is researching is markedly different than that of other automotive research Web sites, while still reflecting the diverse interests in our community”
Gaywheels.com Top 10 Most Researched Vehicles
- Saturn Sky
- Toyota Yaris
- Dodge Caliber
- Volkswagen Jetta
- Toyota Camry
- Audi A3
- Toyota Prius
- Saab 9-3 (sedan and convertible)
- Pontiac G6 (sedan, coupe and convertible)
- Mazda MX-5
Although information, specifications and pricing on all new car and truck models are available on Gaywheels.com, each vehicle on the Most Researched list is from a gay-friendly brand. Gaywheels.com classifies all vehicle manufacturers as gay friendly or not based on their corporate policies for offering domestic-partner benefits to their employees in the U.S. “Gay consumers as a group are more loyal to companies that demonstrate fairness and equality to the GLBT community,” LaMuraglia emphasizes. “Gaywheels.com’s Top 10 vehicles – and even Top 20 for that matter – are all from automakers that are gay friendly. This clearly shows that when armed with facts about vehicles and the companies that build them, gay consumers are more likely to shop and spend with brands that support their community.”
Supporting the assumptions that the average gay person has a higher discretionary income, no children, and is more apt to purchase a sports car, there are four convertibles on the list, and a two-seat roadster in the #1 position. “But notice that there are also inexpensive and fuel-efficient vehicles in the Top 10 – most notably the Toyota Yaris and Dodge Caliber,” adds LaMuraglia. “The data also challenges the generalization that we as a group are only interested in luxury vehicles. There are only two luxury brands in the Top 10 and only five out of the Top 20 are luxury makes.”
The Most Researched list is based on Web site statistics gathered from April 1 – June 30, 2006 from Gaywheels.com New Car section powered by Edmunds.com data.