More Than A Pretty Face: Therese Tant

By Sarah Z. Wexler

Name: Therese Tant
Age: 35
Job: Manager, GM Advanced Design Interiors
Location: Royal Oak, MI
Notable Quote: "Now is the time to go for it. Women have more options and opportunities than ever before."

Today, 40 percent of car-buying decisions are made by women - a purchasing power that also opens doors for female designers and engineers who have the know-how to make what women want: stylish, eco-friendly rides. Though cars are still thought of as a man's domain, the percentage of car-talkin' women continues to soar. For Therese Tant, coming up in a family of Motor City gearheads taught her about what's under the hood, but she ultimately uses her love of Christian Lacroix to make you a better Chevy.

Q: How did you get interested in cars?
A: I'm from the Detroit area, so it's no surprise I grew up in a car-obsessed family. My dad worked at Ford, and my two older brothers were always in the garage with him under the hood. My passion was art. I'd stand off to the side observing, but I'd ask a lot of questions. When I went to college for art, I took a course in automotive design and fell in love.

Q: What's your job like, day-to-day?
A: I design the interiors for both production cars - the ones you'll be driving, and show cars - the high-concept ones. I want the car to look modern and stylish, but I also want it to come down the assembly line, to be feasible for a real customer.