Autobytel Case Study

4) What is the basis of Autobytel’s market leadership? Is it sustainable? Why or why not?

In the context of global expansion and competition of numerous businesses, effective marketing management is one of the key factors of success, playing an essential role in obtaining competitive advantage. Hence, the success of a company is determined by its ability to identify customers’ needs and offering products and/or services to satisfy them.

Arnold Communications undertook extensive market research in order to understand the modern VW buyer and their position in the industry. They set about collecting primary data through extensive interviews, visiting 95 of the top VW dealers and drving VX over 50,000 miles

For our initial strategy we wanted to choose a product line that would be most intriguing to customers in this poor economy. To initiate this we focused our products around better gas mileage, safety, and quality. In order to do this we needed to evaluate consumers’ needs and desires when making a high involvement purchase such as a car. We believe the best target market for this type of car would be a middle class family that does not have as much disposable income due to the recession in our economy.

But why create a new product when ShoreTel’s products are already the best in the industry? Because ShoreTel doesn’t

Building on its success in the European market over the past few years, Mercedes-Benz Canada has launched the Smart Car in Canada! Following a few modifications to meet Canadian safety and emission standards, Mercedes-Benz is currently selling the Smart in Ontario as a trial before a full North American launch the following year. The Smart is unique - almost revolutionary in the auto market. The people at Mercedes believe that the market for the Smart is untapped with virtually no direct competition in North America. Mercedes desires to be the first to market before the competition launches a competing niche vehicle in the competitive North American Market. However, GM,

1) Invest heavily in market research section in order to create market-driven products and services.

There are two key channels what LM uses to deliver value for its customers: the community and the regional microfactories. The community is a core element of LM’s business model and consists of a group of car enthusiasts and designers who communicate mainly on an online platform, but they also meet in person during events organized by LM. Microfactories serve as places for car manufacturing but they mean a lot more for the company. They are places to gather together with the community and to work together with customers whilst assembling. Both key channels are important parts of LM’s marketing strategy and play a prominent role in the customer experience. LM uses mainly these own and direct channels to reach its customers. It raises awareness about its cars using mostly its website. This platform also helps potential customers in evaluating the offerings of LM as community members share their opinion, knowledge and experience there. The purchase, the delivery and the after sales service happen through the channel of microfactories.

Although Mercedes Benz marketing strategy used to focus on safety, precision engineering of its cars and safety, they had to make sure that the Mercedes’ cars would suit the customers’ changing attitude. Now, they focus more on fun loving, energetic and approachable side of Mercedes Benz in their marketing. When its market expanded this caused an evolution in its marketing strategy. Mercedes Benz has found that they have to expand their market by including younger customers. Slicing prices to make the product more affordable was one of the marketing strategies also.

The development of marketing concept from a Product orientation to a Sales orientation and finally a Marketing orientation has signified an important change in how we understand and conceptualizes marketing in the 21st century. It signified an increased focus in the behavior of consumers and how by applying different marketing strategies organizations have been able to influence the way in which consumers react to their potential needs and how marketers can change their strategy to target different consumers wants. An assessment has been made in this essay looking at the development of the Volkswagen (herein referred to as VW) polo hatchback model.

The best way to improve sales and profits is to reach the selected target segments. That being said the marketing officers must make sure their advertisement reaches the customers who are most likely to purchase their products. Companies often develop customer profiles from feedback surveys or marketing research to gather these data records. Target customer variables or demographic factors can include age, gender, income level and education level.

2) There are significant differences between the traditional Porsche customer and Cayenne and Panamera customers. The traditional Porsche customer is interested in exclusivity, in having a niche car, different than others. The Cayenne and Panamera customers are also interested in the utility of the car. In other words, they are interested in the storage capacity of the car and in the power of its engine. There are also financial differences between these types of customers. The traditional Porsche buyers have greater financial power in comparison with other buyers. This means that the Cayenne and Panamera customers' purchasing decision process is also based on the price of the car. Therefore,

| ST Strategies: * Make innovations for being over the potential competitors. * Use their financial position for acquire new technology.

In phase 2, the company faced the challenged of sustaining the hype around its new car and ensuring that potential customers actually purchase the Z3 when it is available. After reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of both marketing methods (traditional and non-traditional) and considering the success of phase 1, it is recommended for BMW to continues use the non-traditional approach and use minimum traditional strategies.

Audi is one of the world leading luxury vehicle brand that is own by Volkswagen group. It enjoys the same reputation as BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the international market. In China, it expands rapidly during the past two decades. Currently, in the segment of vehicle market for business and governmental use, Audi has achieved satisfactory performance (Hua, 2010). The aim of this essay is to study Audi’s marketing strategy in combination with marketing theories. Firstly, its marketing activity in China will be introduced. Secondly, relevant marketing theories that can be used to explain the activities will also be described. Thirdly, whether Audi’s marketing strategy has achieved