The 2004 figures of the RDC Automotive Market Monitor indicate that the Fiat Panda is the most loved passenger car by Dutch women. With a total of 4.734 female registrations, the Panda leaves the successful Peugeot 206 (4.690 registrations) in second place.

The battle between these two cars was exciting right until the last moment. After October, the Peugeot was still slightly in the lead. Now, the ‘Car of the Year 2004’ has symbolically finished in first place.

The Dutch Fiat dealers offer the Panda with a 1.1 and 1.2 four-cylinder petrol engine. There is also the lively and terrifically efficient Panda 1.3 MultiJet 16V common rail turbo diesel, and the recent addition of the Panda 4x4 with 1.2 petrol engine to the range.

In conjunction with the AutoRAI 2005, the Dutch RAI association has also carried out a market research programme through the respected MarketResponse Nederland around the theme of ‘Woman and Car’.

The most significant result of this research – contradicting to what is often thought – is that there are few differences in purchasing reasons between males and females. Both sexes rate the following in the top three:

• Styling

• Comfort

• Price

The differences are found in the details: women choose compact cars more frequently and men often prefer cars that are more powerful with better performance (for example higher top speed). There are also differences in the orientation behaviour: men are more likely to scrutinise the internet, car magazines, brochures and television shows. Women, however, show less personal confidence and are more likely to ask others before making a decision.