The Marketing Environment and Consumer Choice Essay

As the gas price is rising up to 140 cents per litre in Canada, many people switch their vehicle to gasoline-electric hybrid car to gain savings from the better fuel efficiency. Many potential consumers for hybrid vehicle and hybrid vehicle owners think that the hybrid system is worth the extra penny due to better fuel economy. However, the realistic is that it has higher maintenance despite of its outstanding fuel economy figures. In fact, the hybrids cause more environmental damage than conventional petro powered vehicles and there are better alternatives. Therefore, hybrids should not be on consumers’ shopping list due to a numerous negative facts that consumers are unaware of.

The American automotive industry has been under a lot of pressure over recent years due to increased concern for the environment and increased global competition. An environmental scan on the American automotive industry shows that the global competition is a great cause for concern, new technology is providing an edge, emissions and laws regulating them are as tight as ever, and consumer opinion is reflecting concern for this.

Throughout modern times we have witnessed many advancements in technology. These advancements are results of research and data collected about our world and society, helping us to better understand the most efficient ways we can work. With this increased knowledge, we have become more aware of the footprint humans leave on the environment. In an effort to better our environment, with this knowledge we have become a more environmentally conscious world. One major advancement we have seen in environmentally friendly technology includes the electric vehicle. Electric and hybrid electric vehicles have brought about many advantages and impacts including: decreased emissions, minimal gas usage, and increased safety.

In light of the constant rises in petroleum prices, climate changes and an economy recovering from the effects of the recent economic downturn, consumers have started to reconsider the usage of electric cars (Global EV Outlook, 2013). Electric Vehicles [EV] have been around since the 1830s, yet it is only recently that countries have experienced an increase in their production thus redefining tomorrow’s automobile and transportation industry. This year, the global production of EV is predicted to rise by 67% (IHS, 2014).

Introduction Automobile usage has increased in America and elsewhere in the world. In a research done by Sutherland, J., et al. (2004) “The US has a contributed to 200 million passengers in cars and light truck over the past few years. Further in 1990, studies showed that US cars increased six times faster than human population. The leaders in the automotive industry must adopt some key elements to ensure success in this fast-moving environment. They must invest in knowing their markets, building brands, adapting product strategies and taking long-term view on their goals and objectives. This paper outlines some of the key factors which should be considered. Environmental factors automotive designers and engineers have always said the main threats in the American Automotive industry are the environmental factors such as fuel economy and the clean air regulations. Automotive Emission posed different problems than manufacturing discharges such as coal smoke. Increased fossil-fuel emission has resulted from the million car increase. Irritation smog, which is comprised of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, sulfur oxide and other various chemical mixtures are cited in major cities such as Los Angeles. These auto emissions are also said to cause headaches, visual pollutions, contribute to lung cancers and other respiratory disease. In the end, the engineers have designed cars that are better environmental performers, cost effective and fuel efficient to reduce the environmental

The dependency on transportation in today’s society is quite remarkable. There are many forms that people take advantage of everyday including: planes, trains, and automobiles. Unfortunately, these diverse varieties of transportation do not run on imagination. For automotive vehicles, the most prevalent material used to operate are fossil fuels. There is a popular concern with the abundant reliance on these fossil fuels, which are a nonrenewable resource. The controversial usage has opened the discussion to alternative opportunities for fuel sources that, potentially, can replace the current fossil fuel being used in automotive vehicles. When considering the current market of cars, many have complaints in gas powered automobiles. There are many problems, commonly discussed, with emissions. Cars have a tendency to be harmful to the environment, and expensive to use frequently. This is where the alternatively powered cars are introduced into the conversation. There are multiple vehicles that can replace the prevalently operated, gas powered cars. However, alternatively powered vehicles must be considered in the same aspects a consumer would think about when buying a normal car. The buyer of automobiles, in the current market, look at the necessities that come with the maintenance and upkeep the car requires. Price, maintenance costs, insurance, incentives, and quality of life are

The situational analysis is done to analyze the different environmental forces that can affect the sales and acceptability of the new product. In the later sections, the marketing objectives, the target segment for the new car, action programs, and marketing mix (product, price, promotion, and place) have been discussed in a view to set a roadmap for the company on how it can better market and sell its product to the most potential segment of the consumers. The marketing budget has been presented to give an estimate of the expenditures and expected revenues for the year. Finally, the ethical considerations for the marketing plan have been discussed which are also

There must continue to be popular sentiment toward the environment; the public must be aware of the electric vehicle, aware that there is a healthy alternative to the gasoline cars that are driven every day. However, adoption does not end with awareness — the public should be educated on the benefits of electric vehicles in order to fully realize the lifestyle change they must make. Wally Rippel and the Toyota Prius are champions of these findings’ success. Whether through a modern day, nationally-televised electric vehicle race or the promotion of electric vehicles in Hollywood movies, the electric car should become a popular item in modern culture, and a well-understood one for that

The United States of America is one of the biggest automobile markets in the world. This trend has also created awareness for environmentalist to bring attention to rising level of pollution and emission within the cities and metropolis. As response, the U.S. Government is encouraging the automobile manufacturers to produce clean and renewable alternative vehicles that will drastically reduce pollution and emission. Subsequently, the automobile industry has witnessed a gradual introduction of environmental friendly vehicles that use clean and renewable energy to encourage less pollution and safer environment. The manufactures of these vehicles have introduced into the market three categories of electric passenger car

Akio Toyoda, the founder of the car company Toyota Incorporated, once said “Automobiles are the pinnacle of human transportation. The percentage of families across the world who own cars have reached new heights in the past decade. Multiple families now have an easier form of transportation than walking or taking an overcrowded bus. For that reason, I am happy with what I do.” Akio Toyoda is right for saying so. The usage of automobiles increases by 150% since the past decade as more consumers look towards faster and cheaper methods of transportation. The increase in usage brings many concerns to well-minded citizens, specifically concerns regarding the environment and the conservation of energy. In order to tackle the problem locally, multiple

Environmental concerns have been raised from time to time because of the dependency on the gasoline-fueled engine as the chief auto powertrain technology. This has resulted in exposing many automobile users to unpredictable prices of fuel. These issues were, however, the reason for

Cars have always been a big deal in the United States. Ever since Henry Ford invented his Model T in 1908, the automobile industry in the United Sates has continued to grow (“Henry Ford Changes the World,” 2005). While Ford was not the original inventor the automobile, he created the first automobiles that were affordable, easy to drive and maintain, which made it possible for everyday people to own cars. Ford’s assembly line building technique became the benchmark for all the big auto manufactures of that day (“Henry Ford Changes the World,” 2005). Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler soon became known as the “Big Three” American automobile companies (Foner & Garraty, 1991). While the automobile industry has immensely grown and changed from the early 1900’s to now, it continues to be at the forefront of industries creating environmental concerns worldwide. Issues currently being faced by the American Auto Industry include: having to handle tough global competition by foreign automakers, figuring out how to incorporate new technology to power vehicles (such as electric or ethanol run cars), and having to face new higher government and consumer quality and environmental standards.

If you listen to the car companies, hybrid cars are the best invention since sliced bread. While there are many reasons to buy a hybrid car, including a new tax incentive for US owners, it doesn 't hurt to have a good understanding of how they work. This article explores the myths, benefits and drawbacks of owning one of these new "green" vehicles. Are hybrid cars really more cost effective?

| * Losing an opportunity to place itself at the forefront of marketing a luxury plug-in electric vehicle * Lose the opportunity to add reputation * Losing the increasing market of hybrid plug-in electric vehicleSee Exhibit 1

The subject of electric vehicles has been very popular of late. There have been many articles written, and research done, to scrutinize the on-going use of combustion vehicles while convincing the populous that electric vehicles are the wave of the future for transportation needs. Sales of electric vehicles have proven this true. Over the past five years, the number of electric vehicle sold has increased dramatically. According to the Electric Drive Transportation Association, in 2010 the number of Plug-In vehicles was only 345. The number of Plug-in vehicles -