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."

Tags:hybrid, vehicles, transmission

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."

Tags:auto, dealership, consumer, vehicle

Abstract
The writer discusses how the downsizing crisis in the automotive industry is having an effect on automobile dealers, and considers how statistical data on the automotive industry can be used to predict future trends. The writer then explains how the collection of accurate data can benefit the automobile dealership where he works. The writer concludes with the prediction that small-town auto dealers may fare relatively well during these times of economic crisis because consumers are reluctant to purchase an expensive new vehicle.

Outline:
Introduction
Types of Statistical Data
Advantages of Accurate Information
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Working for an automobile dealership can be challenging; as well as rewarding. Many small-town automobile dealerships are family enterprises that operate with smart and inexpensive business practices. Small-town automobile dealers know what vehicles their customers prefer. This comes from having long-lasting ties to individual families, selling new cars and trucks to grandparents and parents, and putting the children into affordably priced used cars.
"The downsizing crisis in the automotive industry is having an effect on automobile dealers. Now that General Motors and Chrysler have decided not to renew contracts with roughly 800 to 1,100 dealers, stories of dealerships closing are heard daily. While cuts have come largely at the expense of urban dealers, some smaller automobile dealers are surviving at least for now."

Tags:dealerships, automakers, vehicles, auto, auctions

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."

Tags:productivity, overheads, costs, training, turnover, benefits

Abstract
The paper relates that the Cars4U.com website was launched on September 6, 2000, and became the first Internet Canadian car dealership that allowed consumers the opportunity to purchase or lease a vehicle online at a competitive price. Furthermore, the paper notes that all necessary actions could be handled online, from research to payment options and delivery arrangements. The paper notes that although the website is available to computer users internationally, online purchases are only available to those individuals living in Ontario, Canada.

From the Paper
"The Cars4U.com Website was launched on September 6, 2000, and became the first Internet Canadian car dealership. This allowed consumers the opportunity to purchase or lease a vehicle online at a competitive price."

Tags:cars, e, business, e, commerce

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."

Tags:retail, management, cars

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."

Tags:revenue, imports

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."

Tags:internet, car, marketing, website, dealer, online, consumer, brand

Abstract
This paper investigates, by analyzing related literature and by conducting an original survey of new car dealerships in southwest Indiana and western Kentucky, the U. S. government Cash for Clunkers program, which was designed to stimulate sales within the automotive industry during the 2009 Great Recession. The paper reviews the literature and relates all the findings of the survey in table format. The paper concludes that the dealerships indicated that the Cash for Clunkers program was worthwhile; however, if the program is repeated, major improvements should be made. The author includes the survey questionnaire.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Significance of the Problem
Review of Related Literature
Success of the Program
Paperwork Requirement
Program Revisions
Program Reimbursement
Effects of the Program
Methodology
Research Design
Participants
The Instrument
Data Processing
Ethical Assurances
Results
Introduction
Statistical Data
Conclusions
The Summary of the Study and Results
The Conclusions
The Recommendations
Appendix: Cash for Clunkers Survey

From the Paper
"In an issue of Automotive News, they commented, there were many problems concerning the bill. Congress wrote a complicated bill with too many restrictions and complicated procedures. The bill appointed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which was poorly equipped and understaffed to do the job right. By the end of the last week, the National Automobile Dealers Administration conducted a national survey, which proved that clunker rebates had been paid on only 75.7 percent of the transactions submitted, although many dealerships had reported that the government auditors were already in their stores checking their books."

Tags:paperwork reimbursements controversial, future sales, communication

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."

Tags:market, environment, product, sales, advertising, classic, company, dealership, model, search, findings