Bmw case study solution

Provide article (PDF), Requirement (Word document)

Main Learning Objectives: 1. To underscore the importance of consumer behavior in strategic planning.

2. To illustrate the complexity of strategically managing the supply chain for a modern manufacturing company and the implications effects of ‘mass customization’ on supply (value) chain

1-2 page brief essay format. To finish the three questions below sign as individual assigment.For the exclusive use of J. Yu, 2018. TB0301 Dmitry Alenuskin Andreas Schotter BMW of North America: Dream It. Build It. Drive It. Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black. Henry Ford Introduction In early January 2012, Joseph Wierda, BMW’s X3 Product Manager, reviewed the latest sales numbers of the popular X3 Series compact SUV. He was, in particular, interested in the effects of BMW’s customization program called “Dream It. Build It. Drive It.” on both unit sales and overall profitability. This new integrated sales and marketing program allowed customers to create a fully customized BMW X3 SUV and have it delivered to their driveway in only a few weeks. The program scored some important points with the media. For example, Martha Stewart, a U.S. TV personality, customized her X3 live on her popular show called The Martha Stewart Show. Just two years earlier, in 2009, the idea of the customization program came at a time when the global financial crisis had hit consumers hard, and most households were putting large ticket item purchases on hold. During the same period, fuel prices reached $4 per gallon. Consequently, BMW’s North American overall sales had plummeted by 30% compared to 2008, and SUV sales were down a staggering 55%. The new customization program was a departure from the traditional North American car purchasing model, where consumers were accustomed to buying a car and driving it off the dealership’s lot right away, after typically receiving some generous discounts or other incentives. Wierda wondered if the program should be extended across all BMW product lines and, if so, what this meant for the regional and global manufacturing strategy, sales and distribution strategy, and the overall competitive positioning of BMW in North America. He needed to make up his mind before the next management meeting at the end of the month where he had to present the proposal to Ludwig Willisch, the recently appointed CEO of BMW North America. This proposal would have far-reaching internal and external effects. The U.S. Automotive Industry The automotive industry had traditionally been the largest manufacturing sector in the United States, averaging about 3.6% of total GDP. Sales data for new cars in America represented one of the key economic indicators. In 2011, the U.S. auto industry was estimated to be a $500 billion industry, employing more than eight million people. Just three years earlier, in December 2008, American auto sales dropped by 37% compared to the year before as a result of the 2007/08 global financial crisis. During the same month, the “Big Three” auto companies (General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Chrysler) applied for emergency loans totaling $34 billion combined. The argument was that these loans would help avoid laying off up to three million people. In January 2009, the U.S. Congress approved this unprecedented emergency bailout.