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Luxury Car Market

Decent Essays

There are distinctive barriers to entry in the automotive industry. The main 10 firms operating in the automotive industry have great power in terms of reputation, finances, experience, technology and existing large product portfolios. It would be highly difficult for a new company to compete with the above.
• The existing companies within the industry are joining forces, which at times do have detrimental effects for new comers to the market and for some existing companies. For instance, the situation of Rover in the UK. In the past, the profitable components of Rover were purchased by BMW and Ford, and Rover was left producing poor quality and old vehicles, which consequently led to its bankruptcy in April, 2005 (BBC, April …show more content…

They have brands and models of cars to appeal to every kind of demographic group, and simply cater for the needs and wants of consumers.
• Ford is particularly successful in their sponsorships, advertising and other forms of marketing. Ford is currently sponsoring the football Champions League, with “Destination Football” slogan (Bloomberg, 2005).
• The current research and development activities of Ford allow them to be pioneers in certain production technologies (Kochan, 2001).
Weaknesses

• In an attempt to attract younger generations to purchase Jaguar cars, Ford introduced “baby Jag”. The effects of such an action proved to be negative in damaging Jaguar’s reputation, and is a weakness for Ford (Kerwin, 2002)
• Quality assurance needs to be more of a focal point for Ford to avoid recalling cars and expensive repair operations. (Kochan, 2001)
• In 2002, Ford and Bridgestone experienced a faulty tyre scandal which caused a two billion dollar loss (BBC, January 2002). 
Opportunities

• To develop vehicles that uses other forms of energy than petrol and diesel and to become pioneers in this area.
• The numbers of car owners who replace their old models with new ones are on the increase (Mintel, 2004). 
• Demand for cars by women drivers is on the increase and so is the overall demand for cars (Key Note, 2005).
Threats

• Further increases in gasoline prices, and eventually the world supply of gasoline finishing.
• To become

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