General Motors 10k

The industry players are focusing on technical innovations like improvements in fuel efficiency, incorporating safety features like air bags in small segment cars, parking assistance features, automatic transmission in small segment cars, commercial vehicles ensuring the safety of drivers, two-wheelers with enhanced fuel efficiency, high engine performance, introducing features catering to the female customers etc. The average growth in terms of number of units of

Henry Ford, an American industrialist proved, not only to America but to the world that a car can be affordable to the so called, “Everyday Man”. “Henry Ford did not invent the car; he produced an automobile that was within the economic reach of the average American” (Sorensen 1). Subsequently, Henry Ford’s assembly lines were used in World War II to make equipment for the army. His car company, Ford, still produces one of the most durable and most cost effective car on the planet. In fact, every big car franchise today uses Henry Ford’s one hundred year old assembly line in order to manufacture safe and efficient transportation for everyone. Seeing that, Henry Ford’s moving assembly line has grown more complex because the parts and variety of vehicles being built continue to evolve. As a matter of fact, more automakers continue to improve the assembly line with flexible tooling, virtual engineering and robotics in order to keep up with the demands of the twenty-first century with ambitions of making Henry Ford’s one hundred year old technology better. Above all, making the automobile less expensive was an achievement in the engineer world, and as Henry Ford said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress’ working together is success” (“Henry”

White says that “to produce a new vehicle it takes three to five years” (332), but he neglects to prove this information with ethos. The author later defends the automakers by stating “that doesn’t mean auto makers and their technology suppliers aren’t serious about rethinking the status quo” (333), therefore, he could confuse the reader with mixed opinions (332-333).

Oil is such a major industry in the both the United States and the world, so the will be an extensive number of customers affected.

The “U.S. became the world’s top producer of petroleum and natural gas” in 2013 (Energy Infrastructure). “Capital spending in the infrastructure that moves and transforms oil and gas into everyday products … has increased by 60 percent between 2010 and 2013” (Energy Infrastructure). The rise to become the top producer has led to the decrease in “U.S. oil import dependence” and the “rise of U.S. product exports” (U.S. Oil Import Dependence). The increased exportation of oil and gas by the U.S. has allowed both of these products to become large moneymakers for the United States. Although we will probably never “completely eliminate our need” for oil, we can reduce our petroleum consumption and the damage we inflict on the environment (Reduce Oil Dependence Costs). By decreasing the “dependence on oil” in new vehicles, there has been a

Since the twentieth century, America has dominated the car industry business. Automobiles have made a major influence in the society and the economy of America ever since. Especially when Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company, developed two of his inventions, Model T and Model A, flourished into a big success around the 1900’s. Nonetheless, the culture we live in today is influenced tremendously by the advanced technology we created, and it grants industries new opportunities that may evolve the automobile business as we know it.

In a revealing article by George Perry (2001) the author discusses the economic impact that a disruption in the oil supplies would have on world oil prices. He states “Currently 28 percent of the world's crude oil comes from the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) consisting of Arab Muslim nations, some of which are not part of the OPEC cartel. The governing regimes in all these countries are at some risk [due to the war on terrorism].” He goes on to state that in a worst case scenario the economic consequences of oil supply disruption would be “oil prices rise to $161 per barrel driving gasoline price to $4.84 per gallon. The increase in the nation's bill for products of crude oil rises by about 10 percent of GDP, which adds perhaps 15 percent to the inflation rate in the first year. And the recession is the steepest and deepest of the postwar period, with GDP declining nearly 5 percent the first year.”

The recent surge in the cost of heating oil, diesel fuel, and gasoline in the United States has had significant impact on many sectors of the U.S. economy, but most importantly it has had quite a devastating affect on the trucking industry. This is important due to the fact that nearly "70% of U.S. communities rely solely on trucking for their supplies" ("ATA" 23). If the government continues it 's trend of non-intervention and refuses to place pressure on OPEC, the prices will continue to soar well over the two-dollar mark, and cause the trucking industry as a whole to shut down bringing the U.S. economy to a grinding halt.

The recent surge in the cost of heating oil, diesel fuel, and gasoline in the United States has had significant impact on many sectors of the U.S. economy, but most importantly it has had quite a devastating affect on the trucking industry. This is important due to the fact that nearly “70% of U.S. communities rely solely on trucking for their supplies” (“ATA” 23). If the government continues it’s trend of non-intervention and refuses to place pressure on OPEC, the prices will continue to soar well over the two-dollar mark, and cause the trucking industry as a whole to shut down bringing the U.S. economy to a grinding halt.

Similarly government regulations in the United States and Europe are tightening up, consequently requiring cars to be cleaner and more fuel efficient. As a result, the collaboration with BMW is paramount to getting the most fuel efficient vehicles to the market in a timely manner so that GM can harvest a substantial profit. (3) In addition General Motors is working on the next generation of fuel efficient and gasoline free vehicles to help reduce the impact of the vehicle on the environment, while preserving personal mobility, which further indicates its commitment to innovation. (6)

The first example, they highlighted that the “advanced design, engineering, and technology” made a significant role on the past successes. Thus, they are sustaining on this approach for further successes by continuing investment on the up-to-date knowledge which will be implemented into the entire processes in order to enhancing their capabilities and experiences. Specifically, to produce specialized vehicles have highest performance, minimal impact on the environment, and crossing the limits of their customers’ expectations in term of unique design and competitive

In the first two decades of the 20th century, America contained three-fourths of the worlds cars. Aiding to that statistics is the fact that the U.S. was also home to Henry Ford, creator of the Ford Motor company. Ford was a smart man and through specialization, the latest machinery, and the assembly line, he cut the cost to produce a car. This not only increased his profits, but it also made the vehicle more affordable to the everyday citizen. The car was an epic creation, yet, its dependence on a depleting resource made it, and those who depended upon it services, vulnerable. Facing the prospect of an oil shortage, the Federal government stepped in.

According to perceptual maps, the BMW, Honda, and SAAB cars are the main competitors. This is because their positions are close to the Infinity G20 in the map. Individuals view Infinity G20 as a brand for success. Moreover, they think that it’s more attractive as compared to its competitors. However, the BMW is the most prestigious and most quite, according to the perceptual map. SAAB is the most roomy and most quite car, according to the perceptual map. Also in Exhibit 1, most of the respondents perceive BMW as more prestigious than the infinity G20 in the market.

Things have changes significantly since the early days of the automobile. What was once relative simple machinery (seen from today's point of view), it has developed to become a very complex system that makes a car what it is.

General Motors enjoys a major market share in global automotive industry. One of its major strengths is its strong branding and market position. General Motors can be considered as one of the pioneers of modern vehicles. As per data monitor, GM had a leading share in North America and South America and in Europe it held fifth position. Similarly, it holds second position in other major segments. GM bears a strong branding. A lot of prestigious brands are provided by General Motors such as Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac and Opal. Like Toyota, GM also has various production facilities in 31 different countries. This strong global presence allows GM to have access global markets way easily as compared to manufacturers with centralized structures. Thus, GM relies less on exports, manufactures its brands locally and is also involved in