Automotive web sites often are thought of as a man's domain, but it depends on what type of site it is.
Although women represent 40% of visitors to automotive web sites, they are far more likely to visit automotive sites relating to insurance, safety and registration, according to Hitwise, an online intelligence service.
While they are slightly underrepresented in the overall auto category, women are far more likely to visit sites like AmeriCredit (www.americredit.com), AAA (www.aaa.com), NASCAR Store (store.nascar.com), Department of Motor Vehicles Guide (www.dmv.org), and Esurance (www.esurance.com).
In contrast to women's preferences, men are more likely to visit online auctions, forums and enthusiast groups. Men comprised more than 70% of visitors to three major auto auction sites: Manheim Online (www.manheim.com), Insurance Auto Auctions (www.iaai-bid.com), and Copart Salvage Auto Auctions (www.copart.com). Males comprised 63% of the audience to eBay's auto-auction site.
Also claiming a large share of male visitors were Honda-tech.com, a technical forum for Honda and Acura, and VW Vortex (www.vwvortex.com), a Volkswagen enthusiast site.
When it comes to auto makers, women are the majority of visitors to the sites of Saturn (www.saturn.com), Hyundai (www.hyundai-motors.com) and Kia (www.kia.com).
Men are the majority of visitors to sites of luxury brands: Ferrari (www.ferrariworld.com), Land Rover (www.landroverusa.com), Porsche (www.us.porsche.com) and BMW (www.bmwusa.com).
