Abstract This paper examines the lemon law in New York State. It discusses the history and development of the laws in California and the reasons for their need. The paper then presents a case study of a situation in the writer's family that required knowledge of the lemon laws. It discusses the process with the auto dealership and the final outcome of the scenario.
From the Paper "A current situation in my own family would have benefited from knowing a little more about the laws, but in essence this is one of those instances where the circumstance circumvented that actual use of the Lemon Laws. In 1995 my cousin bought a brand new Jeep Cherokee, Country directly from the dealer ship. One of the reasons he bought it was to take it cross-country in the summer of the following year, which he did. It preformed admirably on the trip and after bringing it back to the dealer for service he was informed that the seal in the rear transfer case had broken and he lost transmission fluid. Hearing that he had traveled cross-country and off road the mechanics wanted to blame his handling of the vehicle for the problem. After going around with the dealership they replace and repaired the problem at no charge."
Abstract This paper documents a young persons search for the "best car around". It provides a look at advertising and marketing ploys, salesmen talk and other "useful" information that may cloud a person's judgement. The author decides that the best way to test a car is to drive it.
From the paper:
"What is the best sports car for the 2002 model year? This question, which this paper attempts to answer, is not as simple as it might seem to be at first because "the best" can be very ambiguous. This is why every single car ad that you ever see on television or that you ever see in a magazine can claim that it is in fact the best without the manufacturers? being accused of false advertising, since every car is probably the best for someone. For example, if you have a family with eight children in it, the best car for you will be a really big van that every can fit in at the same time. If you use a wheelchair to get around, then the best car for you is one that a disabled person can use."
Abstract An examination of 20 sites of automobile manufacturers seeking to understand how car manufacturers use marketing strategies to attract customers. The investigation also reveals the best and worst Internet sites that the industry has to offer. The websites of various manufacturers and dealers allow the consumer to see the makes and models available and the retail price of the car. This leads to a well-informed consumer that will not be taken advantage of when they arrive at the dealership. The marketing strategies that the automobile industry uses include price comparisons, online quotes, online financing, brochures, customization, pictures and video of the exterior and interior of the vehicle. All of these strategies create a confident and well-informed consumer.
From the Paper "Honda manufactures automobiles under the brand name Honda and Acura. Hondacars.com provides consumers with a very simple black and white home page and allows viewers to locate a dealer, view models, and a page for owners? that provides information about vehicle maintenance and parts and services. The site provides 360? view of new vehicles through the use of photos and videos. This allows the consumer to view the interior and exterior of the vehicle with a few clicks of the mouse. The site also allows the consumer to customize a vehicle and view the MSRP. The Honda site is well designed and provides the consumer with relevant information. The simple design of the site provides for easy navigation and easy access to information that matters."
Abstract This paper looks at the Frisbie Tool and Die Company, whose owner has been building the business for the past 23 years. In spite of the strengths that Frisbie has in the form of the experience and expertise of its owner, Frisbie Tool and Die finds itself in a difficult market position, facing competition from imported products. There are several business alternatives available to the company owner that are considered in this paper. The paper also analyzes the company's financial position. Several different techniques are used and are presented in the analysis section. After considering all the alternatives, a course of action is recommended for Frisbie Tool and Die.
From the Paper "Frisbie Tool & Die is reasonably stable in-spite of the downturn in the market. The company is a sole ownership and hence its financial position is reflected by the financial position of its owner who is currently holding about $670,740 in easily liquidated assets with a monthly expenditure of $9698. The net worth is $1,627,677 and hence there is money available. The fact that the company's sales are about $ 1.3 million annually means that the net worth is not very large and the fact that there has been a reduction in Alex's retirement fund by 46% means that the company is loosing money. Something has to be done rather quickly."
A proposed marketing communication plan to build on the expressed interest and demand for the Toyota Prius to increase sales and profits for a local Sydney Toyota dealership.
Abstract The overall mission of this report is to create a plan for increasing the market interest, resulting in increased sales for the Toyota Prius. The marketing plan is designed to put the Prius in front of the public, communicate a message about the hybrid vehicles features and benefits, increase the public's awareness and favorable opinion of the vehicle, and ultimately increase market penetration. It examines how, currently, the Toyota chains in Sydney, Australia, are selling 30 units per month and how the goal of this marketing and communication plan is to increase that sales rate by a significant margin to 600 units per month in the greater Sydney area.
Outline
Executive Summary
Overall Mission
Budgets
Timetable for Launch
Product Description ? FAB and SWOT
SWOT Analysis of the Prius
Audience Profile
Advertising Creative Tasks
Advertising ? Media Planning and Buying Tasks
Competitive Environment Analysis
From the Paper "Featured in this advertising will be the winners of the Prius give-away. Also, the winners of the "I love my Prius because" contest will be features, and the contributions received from this contest can become the heart of the marketing message. The marketing in this phase will shift form the transmission ? rational approach to the ritual ? emotional approach. Because of the successful execution of the first two phases, the marketing campaign will have build a successful foundation on which to create increased buying demand. The first two phases were designed to create consumer interest. These final two phases will be designed to create consumer purchasing decisions."
Abstract Ten years ago, General Motors Corporation set out to reinvent the car buying process as a way to compete with Japanese imports in the small-car market. The company had been losing market share in the passenger-car category, but rather than rethink its cars in existing divisions, GM created Saturn Corporation. The paper shows that Saturn is an entirely new company that was built around a no-hassle, no-haggle approach to selling cars and a family philosophy that includes annual homecomings held at the manufacturing plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee. The paper shows, too, why the approach seems to have worked.
From the Paper "Specifically, NADA forecasts that in the near future, the average net profit on new car sales will be $35 for a single car. In addition, the forecast calls for "little if any profit in the new-vehicle department of the average dealership through the end of the decade." The only way the dealers will make money is through add-one or financing packages. One-pricing assures dealers a profit on new car sales. It also leads to higher customer satisfaction, which pays off in the long run in word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat sales."
Abstract This paper explores Harley Davidson's role in sponsoring regional, local and national events including Posse Rides. The article explores how the company could use Posse Rides to its advantage. The article details the masterful job done by the company, Harley-Davidson in getting close to, and staying close to its customers.
From the Paper "The term HOG is an acronym for a Harley-Davidson Owners Group. Keith Crain writes in Automotive News that HOG was the brainchild of the Harley-Davidson Company and that each buyer receives a year's free membership. After that he or she has to pay to remain ..."
Abstract This paper analyzes an existing retail business, MINI Downtown, a car dealership located in downtown Toronto. The analysis includes an environmental scan, trends analysis of the product as well as the neighbourhood. It also presents a foot traffic study, in addition to an internal analysis of product, showroom and a statistics are provided on the trading area.
From the Paper "INTRODUCTION The MINI Cooper is a redesign of a classic British car the Mini Cooper, still being built in Oxford, England (mini.ca). The company was purchase by BMW and the car redesigned and updated in 2001 to fit with those who demand quality but are also living with the realities of smaller living spaces and rising cost of fuel. It is positioned as a small, but fast and fun car sporty car with high quality finishing and design details."
Abstract This paper discusses common areas of fraud found within the automotive industry, examining both the new and used car sectors. The paper looks at how certain types of fraud are discovered and how these frauds can be prevented. The paper also examines the economic impact of fraud within the automotive industry. The paper shows that while fraud within the automotive industry is rampant and dangerous, well-informed consumers can avoid fraudulent purchases and help protect themselves.
From the Paper "According to legal statistics, the most common form of fraud within the new vehicle industry is that of defective design (OLM, 18). Thousands of individuals are injured or killed each year due to known defects in automobile design, including such issues as faulty airbags, door latches, brakes, fuel tanks, and rollover tendencies (OLM, 19). Some estimates show the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issues over 30 million vehicle recalls each year, and these recalls are a small portion of the faulty design flaws realized (McDonald, 175). Since manufactures often weigh the costs of such recalls with the probability of damages awarded in a lawsuit resulting from injury due to the defect, only those defaults which may result in extremely high legal costs are completed (McDonald, 179)."
Abstract This paper examines how Capstan Autos runs a dealership on the East Coast for a large Japanese auto manufacturer and how the owner of Capstan Autos, Sidney Capstan, believes that much of the firm's success is due to a no-frills competitive pricing policy and immediate cash payment. The paper looks at how the company imports cars at the beginning of each quarter and pays the manufacturer at the end of each quarter and how revenues from sales covered payments to the manufacturer as well as the expenses of operating the business.
Outline:
Downturn
Increased Sales
Reluctance to Lend
From the Paper "2010 turned out to be a poor year for auto importers. The country was in the grip of a recession in the United States. The industry experienced a decline in auto sales and a devaluation of the dollar, leading to reduced profit margins for many dealers of imported automobiles. A new strategy was required to keep on top of the situation, leading Capstan to institute a new policy. This policy entailed offering six months' free credit while maintaining the original sales price of $20,000. Sydney also concentrated on trimming wages and other costs, managing to reduce the outlay to $150,000 per quarter. Though apparently successful, unit sales dropped to 200 units per quarter (a twenty percent reduction). In spite of this fact, the firm still operated at a satisfactory profit."
Abstract This paper examines a strategic problem related to sales and distribution of a product across the 50 US states with a focus on the Southern states wherein a company that is technologically advanced produces enough product but does not have enough retail outlets or sales staff to adequately service its vast market. In this example, the Toyota Motor Corporation of North America is used to illustrate the issues appropriately for shareholders.
Table of Contents:
Overview
Situational Overview
Sales & Marketing Strategy
Alternative Strategies for Shareholder Review
Alternative 1
Alternative 2
Recommendation for Stockholders
From the Paper "Shareholder approval is required for this strategy to work because Toyota is contractually obligated to its existing dealership network and cannot move away from it without incurring considerable expense because of these contractual agreements. The company simply needs to design more integrated marketing collateral that allows its existing dealership network to more effectively reach local communities; i.e. targeted Internet advertising and strategically placed web-enabled kiosks, in a fashion that new dealerships with the associated sales staff would not eat into existing dealership market share."
Abstract The paper utilizes the example of a car dealership in order to analyze how rising health insurance costs can influence managerial decisions. The paper shows how cutting costs in a high-turnover, sales-dependent business could undermine productivity and harm the firm's bottom line. The paper reveals that the end result could be lost sales, enhanced training costs, and under-utilized overhead that collectively present a price tag exponentially higher than what is saved on health insurance.
Outline:
A Look at the Health Insurance Problem
The Revenue Cost of Unfilled Positions
Maximizing Overhead
Conclusion
From the Paper "Rising health insurance costs are creating significant hardship for many American businesses, and present unique challenges from the perspective of managerial economics. When making business decisions and planning budgets, managers must remain mindful of the fact that health insurance costs are escalating and are predicted to keep rising. These costs can provide a direct hit on a firm's overall profitability, and, unlike other expenses experienced by a firm, they are a straight money-out proposition. Health insurance costs are not like a capital investment, such as a piece of equipment, where the money a firm spends will be returned several times over as the equipment is utilized in business operations. When a company experiences a stiff hike in its insurance rates from one year to the next -- simply to maintain the current level of coverage offered to employees -- it is a pure impediment to profitability that can not be turned around to produce revenue."
