Daihatsu proves it knows what women want

What women want. That?s what men ? and vehicle manufacturers ? have been trying to figure out for decades. Daihatsu reckons that it?s found the answers ? hence the launch of the brand new Terios Diva, which is sure to delight discerning members of the fairer sex in all corners of South Africa.

According to the marketing manager of Daihatsu SA, Braam Faul, the challenge with cars is the fact that they are generally designed by men and for men. ?It?s rare to find a vehicle that has been specifically created to address the needs of women,? he comments.

Hence the introduction of the Diva ? a delectable offering aimed squarely at damsels and yes? you guessed it? the occasional diva too.

In crafting the Diva, Daihatsu started with a vehicle that already held enormous appeal to the female market. ?The Terios has long been a firm favourite of female buyers ? for a number of important reasons,? explains Faul.

These include the high ride height (sitting up high, the driver has great visibility), compact dimensions (meaning it?s ever so easy to park), good loading capacity and superb reliability. ?We are mindful of the fact that female buyers are particularly concerned about breaking down; they don?t want to be stranded on the side of the road. The Terios?s class leading reliability has translated into peace of mind ? especially for our female customers,? says Faul.

Now the Terios has become an even more attractive proposition thanks to the fact that it incorporates a number of chic, feminine touches. Just one sensational feature, for instance, is the inclusion of heel protecting Diva carpets (we can practically hear those Jimmy Choos squealing with delight).

The exterior is distinguished from its more masculine siblings by the addition of Diva decals in the front, sides and rear of the compact SUV. It also has alloy wheels, fog lamps, roof rails and colour- coded bumpers.

The interior has a distinctively feminine feel to it too, with its orangestitched leather seats, chromed interior door handles, tilt adjustable steering, driver seat height adjustment, seat back pockets, height adjustable seatbelt anchorage, air conditioning, power steering, power windows (front & rear), electric mirrors and no fewer than six cup holders.

Like most women who use technology to enhance their lives, the Terios Diva is equipped with an impressive array of high-tech features. These include Bluetooth, iPod Support, steering wheel controls, an in-dash GPS, reverse camera, DVD/CD/ MP3 Playback and USB support. Its built-in hard drive allows the driver to store up to 60 songs.

Safety is massively important to members of the fairer sex. Therefore, the Diva scores 10 out of 10 in this department, boasting a veritable arsenal of safety features. These include unrivalled all-round visibility, a reversing camera, driver and passenger airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, smash and grab ISOFIX baby seat mounting points, a crash sensing fuel cut off system, front seatbelts and high-level brake light. These features have earned the Diva a 4-Star Euro NCAP safety rating.

Women are practical buyers too who demand as many features as possible that will make their busy lives a tiny little bit easier. The Diva does not fail to deliver in this department either, with its seat and boot organisers ? features that are absolutely ideal for the busy woman who is always on the move.

It offers more than enough power for daily commuting and, significantly, it is economical too. Now if only Daihatsu could design the ideal man?

Words and image: quickpic