Look for women’s success at dealers

TO THE EDITOR:

Automotive News does a great job with the 100 Leading Women special section (Nov. 9), trying to shake this industry loose from a male-centered mindset. And with its “Project XX” special section in 2017, which examined sexism in the auto industry, I do not see how a publication could get more in the face of the mostly male industry leadership in presenting the case for diversity. And yet, the numbers for women barely move forward at automakers, suppliers and dealers for those in management and leadership.

Perhaps it’s time to try some bottom-up notoriety. For two decades, the Leading Women project has focused primarily on women in automaker and supplier positions. Perhaps it is time to recognize the successful women in management and key positions at the retail level who deal with the public every day — general managers, sales, service and finance managers — and who are seldom recognized. After all, those are the most visible staff to the customer.

ROGER CONANT, Houston