• by Tanya Gazdik , March 8, 2023

Automakers are getting on board with International Women’s Day activations.

In recognition of International Women's Day (March 8) and Women's History Month, Ford Motor Co. is celebrating the significant role that women have played in the development of the modern automobile by launching a new video, “The Ford Explorer Men's Only Edition.”

The tongue-in-cheek "Ford Explorer Men's Only Edition" video, created by WPP’s VMLY&R, initially appears to be a traditional car advertisement showcasing a new Ford Explorer. 

Narrator Bryan Cranston then explains the “Ford Explorer Men’s Only Edition” is a completely reimagined vehicle without many of the essential features developed by women, including heaters, windshield wipers, turn signals, brake lights and GPS.

To support the campaign throughout the month, Ford will highlight the achievements and contributions of female innovators of the past and present on Ford.com and across the company's social media accounts. 

Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor America is opening applications for its third-annual Hyundai Women in STEM Scholarship in conjunction with International Women’s Day.

Since launching the scholarship in 2020, Hyundai has provided $150,000 to the next generation of women leaders, helping to close the gender gap in STEM fields such as engineering, mobility and autonomous driving.

For 2023, five female STEM students will receive a scholarship in the amount of $10,000 each.

Finally, Stellantis marked the start of March and Women’s History Month with a special event to celebrate its new MentorWE development program.  

Developed in partnership with the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, the MentorWE program is designed to prepare women-owned suppliers for future contracting and procurement opportunities while further expanding Stellantis’ support of initiatives to empower diverse suppliers  

The March 1 event, hosted by the Women of Stellantis business resource group and the supplier diversity team at the company’s Auburn Hills, Mich. headquarters, marked the fifth business module of the nine-month development program, focused on leadership.