ATLANTA -

Women’s History Month marks an important occasion to celebrate the achievements of women as well as their contributions to their respective fields. From Bertha Benz’s pioneering long-distance automobile trip in 1888 to Mary Barra’s appointment as CEO of General Motors in 2014, women have a long track record of significant accomplishments in the automotive realm.

While the sector has historically been male-dominated, a gender-diverse workforce will be essential for the future. As an industry leader, Cox Automotive is dedicated to contributing to that growth through cultivating workforce equity.

That sentiment holds equally true for female consumers and retailers — for decades, it has been widely accepted that men oversee the negotiations in the showrooms as much as they do the executive seats. Many don’t realize that women are the typical decisionmakers on household vehicles. While women are shown as the registrant on nearly half of vehicles in the US, they influence more than 8-in-10 car transactions.

According to a recent Deloitte study, women make up about half of the labor force, but only a quarter of the automotive manufacturing workforce. Since automobiles were invented, almost every aspect of the industry has been male dominated.

Thankfully, that is changing, and women are playing an increasingly prominent role in the automotive sector. Not only are they doing many of the jobs previously considered to be “for men only,” but women are also starting to truly lead the industry.

As an organization where nearly half of the executive team members are women, Cox Automotive believes in placing an emphasis on professional development opportunities for women.

In 2005, the Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award was established after the late Barbara Cox — a business pioneer who was an owner and director of Cox Enterprises — and is awarded to women who demonstrate business leadership, community advocacy and a commitment to advancing the automotive industry.

Cox Automotive’s first Employee Resource Group, Women with Drive, now consists of more than 1,500 members nationwide that have been instrumental in making Cox an employer of choice for women in the automotive sector and encouraging women to consider career opportunities in the industry.

For over a decade, we have also been a proud supporter of Girls Inc., a nonprofit with the focus on the development of the “whole girl” through direct service and advocacy, where many of our employees volunteer and mentor at local affiliates throughout the country. While there is certainly room for improvement across the sector, these are the kinds of efforts that will carry it into the future.

While it starts at the leadership level, this movement extends to female retailers and consumers. And now more than ever, car shoppers are demanding digital car buying and researching capabilities, which allow for a more inclusive and genderless experience. Especially over the last year, showrooms have created entirely virtual shopping options for every step of the process.

Through Cox Automotive’s many brand offerings, female consumers can now tailor the car buying journey to their own personal preferences and needs. And innovative digital experiences like Complete Retail offer truly end-to-end car shopping and buying that allows dealerships to engage more buyers and complete more deals, leveling the playing field for women across the automotive industry.

Ultimately, Women’s History Month is an occasion for reflecting on past accomplishments but also for looking ahead. There’s every reason to be optimistic about this moment in the automotive industry.

It’s clear that gender diversity creates tangible benefits for all — and Cox Automotive remains committed to supporting women in both the workplace and the salesroom, from its industry leadership to the retail solutions that are enabling female auto dealers and shoppers alike.

Jessica Stafford is senior vice president of Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book at Cox Automotive. She was one of Auto Remarketing's 2017 Women in Remarketing honorees. We are recognizing the 2021 honorees in the March issue of Auto Remarketing.