*While It’s been widely reported that women influence over 85 percent of today’s car sales, still, this group only owns less 1,100 out of the approximate 17,000 new-car dealerships in America. When we examine ethnic women, they own approximately 86 stores, according to the National Automobile Dealer Association and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers.
And, as far as Black women, they barely register on the radar. This group represents less than a tenth of 1 percent of total new car dealerships.
Ironically, in a traditional African American household, Black women are responsible for 51 percent of last year’s new-vehicle registrations, slightly outpacing Black men.
More importantly, Black women have surpassed other ethnic and non-ethnic households, in new vehicle registrations, when examining traditional households, according to S & P Global Mobility.
Despite the latest numbers, showing Black women dominating new-vehicle purchases in their household, finding a dealer who looks like them to support and purchase a vehicle from, is like locating a needle in a haystack.
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With that said, in 2016, Auto Trends with JeffCars.com was honored to talk to Ellenae Fairhurst, one of the pioneering Black female car dealers, after a little coaxing. Fairhurst, who avoided the limelight, hadn’t agreed to an interview in well over a decade. Yet, after our conversation, others became aware of the hidden gem. In fact, later that year, the humble trailblazer was recognized by Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 list.
Fairhurst, who acquired her first dealership in 1988, followed in the footsteps of two other Black women, who earned their new car dealership keys in 1979 and 1983, that was Barbara Wilson and Jackie Edgar, respectively.
This week on Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, in honor of Fairhurst, who transitioned at the age of 81 on April 4, 2024, we are resharing our conversation. Its one that will not only inspire our listeners, while also giving a historical perspective of what women, more specifically what Black women had to weather.
Ellenae Fairhurst, who was Lexus first and only Black female dealer, as well as a pioneering dealer for Infiniti, Chrysler and Dodge, blazed many paths during her era. Prior to Fairhurst’s death, the businesswoman owned Huntsville Lexus.
Fairhurst, like the handful of other Black women in her tight-nit car sorority, beat the odds by quietly squeezing through every closed door she encountered in this male dominated industry.
This program is being underwritten by Lexus.
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About Auto Trends with JeffCars.com:
Jeff Fortson is the host and executive producer of Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, the only syndicated multicultural automotive program airing in North America. The 30-minute weekly show airs on SiriusXM 141 and several FM radio dials. The program consists of in-depth one-on-one conversations with modern industry pioneers, trendsetters and influencers ranging from the ‘Hidden Figure’ and Black female responsible for using a mathematical formula to assess the accuracy of the GPS to auto analysts to car designers to the trailblazer of LGBT auto advertising.
For upcoming shows, car reviews, car-buying tips, recall updates, and a car payment calculator, visit Jeff’s car-buying educational guide at JeffCars.com and follow him on Twitter @JeffCars and Instagram @autotrendswithjeffcars.
About Lexus
Lexus’ passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries. In the United States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 244 dealers offering a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With eight models incorporating Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also offers nine F SPORT models, one F performance model, and one F model. Lexus is committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future for luxury customers.
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