27 November 2001: Car showroom salesmen can still be patronising and disparaging towards women, according to a contributor to the UK Motor Industry Management magazine. Michael Banks, managing director of OAI Management Group, says that for the majority of women, the car-buying process remains as frustrating as it did at the beginning of the 1990s.

Yet, he says, the motor trade is missing out because women are 'far better shoppers than men'. And they're not looking for a specifically female approach, just 'equality and professional treatment'.

"Women tend to be more aware of prices and value and capable of identifying the better buys," he adds. "Our findings suggest that men are far more emotive purchasers."

Mr Banks said that a 'thoughtless' salesman's approach, such as 'hello darling, I've got one to match the colour of your eyes', does not go down that well. TW