A GROUP set up for female fleet specialists by a car dealership as part of a drive for fleet business has sparked a debate on the role of women in the industry. The creation of Ladies of Influence by Perrys Toyota, in Bradford, West Yorkshire, has received mixed reactions, with members of the automotive industry divided over the need for gender-based groups in modern business.

Although the idea behind the group is mainly networking, part of its role is to discuss problems women face in the business. But some other automotive industry members say the days of females being discriminated against are long gone and any discussions would be more productive in mixed groups.

The group says although things have changed rapidly, the motor industry is still a male-orientated business. Ladies of Influence, which covers the dealership's female clients and potential customers in the Bradford/Leeds area, intends to meet on a quarterly basis to discuss new ideas and the concerns that women may still have about the fleet business as a whole.