Abstract This paper explains that, while Ford has only one true economyclasscar the Ford Focus, because economy is a core competency of Honda, it could be argued that the majority of its vehicles could be categorized as economyclass based on fuel efficiency alone. The author used structured research observation and a detailed customer survey to collect customer opinion on several factors including fuel efficiency, quality and comfort. The paper concludes that the research indicates that Honda Motors soundly defeats Ford in almost every statistical category and that it understands both the market and its customers far better than its counterpart Ford. The paper includes the questionnaire, data tables and tabulations.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Problem Statement
Purpose of Research
Rationale
Parameters
Limitations
Theoretical Foundation
Vehicle and Company Overview
Honda Overview
Ford Overview
Selection Criteria
Data Gathering Method
Evaluation
Data Presentation
Conclusions
Recommendations
From the Paper "Honda Motor Company (Honda) is an innovative manufacturer known the world over for its engineering prowess and legendary reliability. Honda is Japan's third largest automotive manufacturer in Japan behind Toyota and Nissan and it is the globe's largest manufacturer of motorcycles. However, Honda is also a major manufacturer and producer of small engines and power plants, as well as small jet powered aircraft as of 2006. Honda's operations span the globe extending into every major region, including: North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Pacific Rim, as well as its home market of Japan."
Abstract This paper discusses the legal implications of SUV rollover with regard to Ford Motor Company. It looks at the 2004 personal injury award and the arguments of the plaintiff and of Ford.
From the Paper "This was one of the largest personal-injury awards ever against an automaker in U S history. The verdict was Ford Motor Company's first loss in twelve rollover lawsuits concerning the Ford Explorer, the nation's best-selling SUV". The company said that it plans to appeal the verdict. The plaintiff swerved to avoid a metal object in the road and lost control of her Explorer which ..."
Tags: legal issues, Ford, lawsuits, rollover, safety, car safety, firestone, tires, personal injury
Abstract This paper examines Virgin Airlines upper class service and the services and facilities it offers to its customers. The paper describes in detail the original idea for a "First Class" service as envisaged by the company's founder, Sir Richard Branson and its development since the airlines founding in 1982. The paper discusses how the upper class service fits in with the image generated by Virgin Airways and the entire Virgin Group of companies. The writer contends that Virgin's upper class service is the market leader in customer service and satisfaction due to innovative advertising, forward thinking and value for money.
From the Paper "Virgin Atlantic flies mainly to destinations that are major population center or tourist destination. So by flying high traffic, profitable routes, Virgin Atlantic has been able to maintain a passenger load factor of around 76% in spite of competition and also stay profitable. Also by exclusively flying big aircrafts such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A340, Virgin Atlantic is able to balance its high price - low passenger Upper Class, with low price - high passenger economy class. Virgin Atlantic has positioned itself as a unique player in the airline industry by offering the best service, for a very good price. For instance, a roundtrip from London Heathrow to New York's John F Kennedy on May 19th 2009 returning on May 21st 2009 costs $7,616 on Virgin Atlantic Upper Class and $11,762 on British Airways First Class. The same trip on British Airways Business class costs $7,616 but Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class offers much more services for the same price, increasing the price-value relationship."
Tags: transatlantic boeing aircraft economyclass flight laker airline, Virgin Airlines, first class, premium passengers
Abstract This paper explains that hybrid cars are any vehicle, which combines two or more sources of power such as a gasoline engine, fuel tank, electric motor, generator, batteries and a transmission. The author points out that Honda introduced hybrid cars, the Honda Insight, which was created to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions, to the public in the United States in 1999. The paper states that hybrid vehicles with high gas mileage and low emission, the alternative vehicles of the future, are now available on the market; there are several types of hybrids available from the standard economical cars Toyota Prius and the Honda Accord to the SUV, Toyota Highlander and Ford Escape and as an option in the luxury SUV, Lexus Rx 400.
From the Paper "Since 1999, car companies have put alternative fuel cars and hybrid cars on the market in the United States. Some of these cars are fully electric; these cars need to be recharged at the end of the day. Some of the cars available are a combination of an electric and gas motor; these are known as hybrid cars. These motor vehicles are the most popular on the road now. The engine is started from a gas-powered engine. Once the car is moving the electric and gas power engine propels the vehicle forward, maximizing the consumer's gas mileage. There are also vehicles that use fuel cells, which are cells that change fuels into electrical energy. Many different fuels can be changed into electrical energy, fuels such as hydrogen, methanol, natural gas, and gasoline. These fuel cells never need to be recharged, only need to be refueled. Fuel cell cars are not in major production in America."
Abstract This paper presents an overview of strategic planning and global management at Ford and Honda. It looks at Honda's long-term approach to its strategy of independence, conservative expansion and a dedication to maintaining its core competencies. The paper compares Honda's strategy with that of Ford's and Ford's far-reaching expansion into markets ranging from military tanks to consumer credit.
Abstract This paper analyzes the Honda Motor company through a SWOT analysis, an acronym for "strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats." Each of these areas is explored and detailed. The author finds that Honda has many more strengths than weaknesses, which is partly based on the company's outlook. Honda's goal has been to make high efficiency cars at a low cost. The paper further details how Honda has gained advantage over its competitors. The paper also cites some of Honda's weaknesses. The writer also considers future opportunities for Honda and discusses threats to the company's long-term success. Despite these threats, the author considers Honda one of the most lucrative and best managed companies in the world.
From the Paper "While Honda has much strength to their name, they also suffer from some major weaknesses. The primary weakness of Honda is oftentimes one of their major strengths as well. By sticking to their guns as the technology innovator within their industry, Honda divests much of its resources in exploring new methods to enhance their products. However, they often conduct research and innovation in fields that have no practical application until long into the future (CorporateInfo, npg). Take for example their fuel efficiency research; Honda was the industry leader in fuel efficiency from 1985 to present (InvestorGuide, npg). However, only until recently did gas prices raise high enough to warrant the fuel economy as a significant advantage. Had Honda divested more of their resources to other high end upgrades such as competing within the SUV market, they might have made much more profits. Thus, finding the balance between future research and current profits is one of the major weaknesses with Honda. Another one of its weaknesses is that Honda relies on its "entry first, organizes later" strategy for new market penetration (Wright Report, npg). Its corporate strategy appears to be to enter established markets with their innovative products and develop an infrastructure and organization after they observe how the market reacts. Although this strategy has worked well in some cases such as Honda's entry into the light truck division, where its Ridgeline won Truck of the Year, however in other cases such as the launch of Acura success was met first by years of trial and error. Acura was launched in the mid 1980s, and it was the first Japanese produced luxury car, however it lacked many of the features that customers were looking for in high end vehicles and Acura went through almost five years of net losses before Honda finally figured out their design and distribution methods. Honda depends too much on their ingenuity and ability to adjust once a product enters the market, and as a result, they often make hasty and faulty decisions that they must then spend millions and years to fix."
Abstract This paper presents a discussion about the reliability of Honda vehicles. The author argues that Honda is the most dependable car on the market, looking at how the car became a best-seller, consumer satisfaction, affordability, its proven track record, and low maintenance needs.
From the Paper "There are many things that make the Honda vehicle the most dependable car on the road. When they first came on the market they were so popular there were waiting lists that could take months to get through and receive a vehicle. Almost three decades later the Honda has held its appeal. One of the reasons the Honda is so popular is the dependability that it offers."
Abstract This paper presents a product comparison between two family cars, the Nissan Maxima and the Honda Accord. The paper discusses the features of each car, examines the results of test-driving the cars, and compares the market prices of each. The paper also explores the safety features available in these two sedans.
From the Paper "Honda Accord is debatably the best mid-size sedan in the market. Its interior is spacious and comfortable, the suspension system is greatly effective and beautifully damped, the brakes are superb and the two of its VTEC engines - a 3 liter V6 and 2.3 liter cylinder are unbelievably smooth. The Honda Accord car is amazingly simple to drive and each feature, of it is user friendly. (You found the 2000 Honda Accord Sedan: Product Rating) The car is positioned as an "all-rounder" in the minds of the consumer and is perceived as a safe family car. People with families or people looking for a dependable transportation choose the Accord. The 2000 Honda Accord has bagged the Super Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle -SULEV. The Nissan Maxima is also a family sedan just like Honda Accord which has been recently restyled which offer value to families. (Get quotes on the 2000 Honda Accord Sedan)"
Abstract This paper discusses how Honda is not only highly profitable, but also uses modern techniques and theories to sustain the ecological, social and economical issues relative to preservation of the environment. It provides a case analysis to elaborate the manners by which Honda exhibits the theories of sustainability.
Outline:
Ecological Sustainability
Social Sustainability
Economic Sustainability
From the Paper "Honda first introduced a Hybrid car in 2000. This hybrid vehicle uses a very fuel-efficient engine along with an electric motor to control and reduce harmful emissions. The Hybrid is estimated to achieve approximately 57 miles per gallon. Honda also has one the highest average miles per gallon and states that they will voluntary improve an impressive 29 miles per gallon by another five percent by 2010. While there are laws in effect regarding emissions and efficiency, the improvement quoted by Honda is self-governance and voluntarily based, signifying a true ecologically healthy stance."
Abstract This paper gives a comparison of two hybrid cars based on the assumption that the market for hybrid cars will increase with time as fuel resources become scarce and the consumer becomes more environmentally conscious.
From the Paper "Many companies use sales training to develop their employees. The active development of a company's employees contributes to the overall productiveness of the employee, which maximizes company profits. These profits are then passed on to the employee in the form of higher salaries and other benefits such as commissions, profit sharing or stock options. We are interested in conducting a sales development program that will inform our sales staff of the new line of hybrid cars produce by Honda and its main competitor, Toyota."
Abstract Using Honda Motor Company as a case analysis, this paper examines why the company's entrance into the United States market was successful. It looks at the strategic issues which faced Honda in the early nineties and compares how this strategy was different from their strategy for European markets. The paper continues with how the economic trends of the mid 90's affected the company and predicts what the future might hold.
From the Paper "Honda's entry into the United States was successful for a plethora of reasons. What makes Honda's success particularly remarkable is the fact that Honda managed to survive and prosper in a relatively quick frame of time in an automobile industry that is known for its massive capital requirements. One of the most important factors that contributed to Honda's success in entering the United States market was its willingness to be aggressive and take risks, both in terms of its design, marketing, pricing, and production operations. Another fact that bolstered Honda's success in the United States market was its willingness to adapt to change, as evidenced by the fact that Honda commonly revamps its models every 4-5 years."
Abstract A review of the Ford Motor company which since its beginning, has produced some 270 million cars, or enough to put every person in the U.S. behind the wheel of a Ford. The list of Ford's accomplishments is satisfactory. It is the world's largest truck maker and lags behind General Motors as the largest manufacturer in the world. This paper looks at Ford's merger strategy and current business outlook.
From the Paper "This automotive juggernaut got its start in 1908 when Henry Ford built his Model T on a moving assembly line that revolutionized both car making and manufacturing. In fact, by 1920 some 60% of all vehicles on the road were Fords. In 1922, Ford bought Lincoln, and in 1938, the company introduced the Mercury. However, by this time the company had lost market share to GM and Chrysler."
Tags:car, industry, manufacturing, vehicles, management, merger, business, henry
Abstract The writer discusses Henry Ford's invention of the Model T. The writer looks at the profound impact on the economy and urbanization of America. This paper examines the many facets of that impact from the creation of a middle class to the integration of the automobile into the fabric of American life.
This paper discusses how "green" cars are designed to reduce emissions, thereby lessening problems of ever-increasing air pollution, which causes asthma and lung cancer.
Abstract This paper explains that "green" cars are vehicles that drive just like any other vehicle, except they are at least 90% cleaner-burning than the standard vehicle on the road, thereby emitting a lower amount of pollutants into the air. The author points out that the most popular models, which are mass-produced on the market right now, are called 'hybrids' because these vehicles have hybrid motors that use a mix of a gasoline engine and electric motor with a large battery that keeps energy flowing to the electric motor with no need to "plug" it in to recharge; when the cars get to "cruising" speed, they switch to the electric motor, letting it do most of the work. The paper stresses the financial benefits, which add to the environmental and health reasons to buying a "green" car; the actual purchase price does not vary too much from the regular gas-burning model, and the savings annually in gas can be tremendous. Tables.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Current Quality of the Air We Breathe
Health Consequences of the Deteriorating Environment
Explaining the Need
Future Predictions of our Environmental Destruction
Identifying Those at Risk
"Green" Cars What They Are
How These Vehicles Can Help "Clear the Air"
Financial Benefits from These Vehicles
Where Can They Be Found
Different Makes and Models Available
Concept Cars on the Way
Other Solutions
From the Paper "While companies like Honda and Toyota are more aggressively bringing hybrids to market, GM decided last year to focus its most advanced hybrid technology on its largest, least-fuel-efficient, high-volume vehicles models. It plans for them to reach showrooms in 2007. The Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrids have been rated at averaging 60 miles per gallon, which has captured the attention of many producers, designers, engineers and consumers. This is encouraging because automakers are taking notice of the problems with our environment and actually coming up with ways to help fight for the cause."
