the abbreviated reign of “neon” leon spinks

OOPS 92
cally in their efforts to develop the female-friendly car. In the spring of
2004—not quite a half century after the La Femme made its debut—
Volvo, the Swedish carmaker now owned by Ford, unveiled a female-
oriented car prototype that’s a startling contrast to its pastel primogenitor.
In developing the YCC (“Your Concept Car”), Volvo not only surveyed
female drivers to see what attributes they most desired, but actually assigned
a mostly female team of designers to create the car. The result is a
vehicle that is more practical than fl ashy—a gas-electric hybrid engine, a
Teflon- like silver- gray finish designed to repel dirt, rubber bumpers to
protect against scratches in parking lots, fl ip- up rear seats for stowing
grocery bags, a deep compartment in the center console for storing purses
RECIPE FOR DISASTER
Showroom Surprise
Ingredients
1 car company marinated in testosterone
1 uneducated guess about what women want
1 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer, painted pink
1 patronizing sales pitch
Matching accessories to taste
Mix the ingredients, give the concoction a frilly
French name, and send the resulting monstrosity to
dealerships. Wait two years for women to buy it. When
they don’t, dismiss women as fickle.