The days in which men were the dominant sales focus for luxury cars is coming to an end, and automakers couldn't be happier. According to a new report from Edmunds.com, "41 percent of luxury vehicles sold so far this year (in the US) were bought by women, up from 37 percent five years ago." Women driving luxury cars is, obviously, nothing new but automakers have historically considered women to be more practical car shoppers. For example, they bought minivans to haul the kids around.

But this all began to change in around 1998, the year when Lexus launched the first generation RX crossover. It was marketed heavily to women, who liked the vehicle because it was reliable, comfortable and stylish. The RX literally opened the flood gates not only for luxury crossovers, but also for a new kind of luxury vehicle that had greater appeal to women. The percentage of women buying small luxury crossovers, like the BMW X3 and Acura MDX, has nearly tripled over the past five years. But it's not only the vehicles that have adapted to female buyers. More women than ever are graduating from college and achieving career success.

Heck, even Lamborghini is planning to target women with its upcoming Urus SUV. Edmunds points to a US Bureau of Labor Statistics report that "thirty-eight percent of women now out-earn their husbands, a jump from 30 percent in 2000." Luxury SUVs and CUVs are also now outselling their sedan and coupe counterparts, thanks in large part to women. And there's no sign of this trend slowing down. The idea of the luxury vehicle has changed. Performance is just one corner of the market," states Jessica Caldwell, a senior analyst with Edmunds.