...US News & World Report ranking and reviews list the following as the 5 top rated Hybrid cars. 1. 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid 2. 2016 Toyota Avalon Hybrid 3. 2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4. 2016 Chevrolet Volt 5. 2016 Toyota Prius US News & World report ranking and reviews, new car rankings are based on a consensus of America's top automotive experts, as well as safety and reliability data. The reliability score contributing to the U.S. News rankings is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS).The rankings do not rely on our own tests or U.S. News editors' preferences. They combine two types of information: published reviews from respected automotive critics and safety and reliability data from third-party sources. Source: US News & World report. In analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of each cars technology, price, manufacturing, and the impact on the Environment, I find that the comparisons of the 5 different models may vary slightly, but the end goal of the manufacturer is to produce a vehicle that is high on Safety and the impact on the Environment. Hybrid cars, the combination of an electric and gasoline powered car, function based upon certain principles that govern their operation. All gasoline vehicles utilize...
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...consumer? The Ford Fusion Hybrid faces some pretty good competition from several direct and indirect competition. Hybrids are becoming more popular and some are going to choose based on the company and not the actual vehicle. Chevrolet, Honda, and Toyota have some good competitive models for those people who are being targeted. The environmentally minded and those wanting to cut their fuel consumption are also being targeted by the all electric cars on the market and the very high gas mileage vehicles offered by most manufacturers of vehicles. When looking at hybrids, the target markets include those people who are environmentally savvy and those who want value for their money. The ability to gain from the low fuel consumption combined with safety issues of driving in any conditions and in any type of traveling traffic is a goal feature to promote in those markets. However, many will still prefer the more comfortable knowledge of how the high mileage cars work and their reliability. People wanting to just lower their gas bills will be targets of these types of vehicles and though they may have the dual concerns of the environment, people are often slow to change. So far, the Ford Fusion is selling very well to its target markets and even with the all electric competition of the Ford Focus, the Fusion is expected to remain a good seller. One aspect that makes it popular and more competitive, especially with the Prius and the other hybrids is the size. The Fusion is not a small...
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...Gas Prices – Final Paper BUS308: Statistics for Managers Professor Student Name Date As a manager of a delivery service, it is important to observe the changes in the cost of gas. This information is significant because it determines whether the price of our product increases or decreases for the year. I recorded the annual average mean of gas prices between the years of 1982 to 2011. To get the mean I used the formula (=average(numbers in cells)), I calculated the expected value by multiplying the slope by the year and subtracting the intercept amount, and the residual amount was calculated by subtracting the annual mean by the expected value. The United States saw a noticeable uptick in the price of gas from 1976-1983, thanks to the situation in Iran. Gas prices have always been in an up and down rollercoaster according to our data the average mean of gas in 1982 was 1.296. From 1982 to 1983 gas prices went down because of another crisis the United States was dealing with. From the years 1984-1992 this period of time includes the Gulf War and the recession that followed shortly after: In 1986 the gas price went as low as 0.927 this came as a result of reduced demand and overproduction, which resulted in the short-term loss of OPEC unity. In the years 1993 – 2000 the United States was in an Economic boom. The gas prices remained average during this period until the year 2000...
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...Jessica V. 04/12/2013 ENV 105 section# 22641 Captain Planet seeks Planeteers with real super hero powers In the early 90s, the animated environmentalist television program Captain Planet and the Planeteers gained worldwide popularity; the show immediately grabs your attention from the opening theme. “Our world is in peril; Gaia, the spirit of the Earth, can no longer stand the terrible destruction plaguing our planet. She sends magic five rings to 5 special young people” (A Hero for Earth. Captain Planet and the Planeteers. TBS. 15 September 1990. Television.) In 2013 those 5 special young people sold the rings on EBay to pay off student loans and credit card debt. In society’s attempt to solve the ecological crisis in the 21st century, people living and breathing on this planet must contribute to making environmentally conscious sacrifices to ensure that there will be a planet Earth tomorrow. What we have done throughout the past has contributed to the erosion and deterioration of our ecosystem today. In order for a system of environmental policy to be enforced, the policy itself needs to be backed by governments. Unfortunately, a large number of corporations and businesses that contribute to the crimes against nature directly stimulate the economy and in addition act as huge sponsors in political campaigning. With each solution for every environmental issue, whether it is clean energy or animal cruelty, money plays a significant role. In order...
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...“economy based” vehicle to meet their everyday needs at a lower overall cost of ownership and gas price. Two of the leading cars for the economy today are; the Toyota Prius and the Ford Fusion, they are both gas efficient; however, they do differ in purchase price and lifetime performance. Those are two main things I would take into consideration when purchasing a vehicle in this economy. If we take into consideration the financial situation, the United States is in today, having a car that does not cost a fortune at the pump to fill and would be easy to maintain is ideal. When purchasing a vehicle an area that often overlooked during the purchasing a vehicle is the gas tank capacity. The Toyota Prius gas tank size is on the smaller size side at only 12 gallons, which means the national average to fill this car is only $45.12 each time you go to the gas station. This vehicle also comes with an alternative power option, the Prius runs on electricity as well called a (Plug in option), not only meaning that you are saving on gas but also air pollution as well. The Prius gets an estimated 44 MPG city and 40 MPG highway, not too bad for a compacted car. The Ford Fusion has a much bigger gas tank at 17.5 gallons, with a national average of $64.23 to fill every time you go to the gas station. The Fusion does not come with an...
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...the five hybrid cars. * Explain the impact these cars will have on the United States’ economy. Consider the following issues in your analysis: consumer buying, sustainability, recycling, and fuel economy. * Evaluate the impact that hybrid-car technology has had or could have on the United States’ political relationships with oil-producing countries. Be sure to include an analysis of economic issues such as production, supply, and trade. Describe how this technology will influence world politics. Include an analysis of economic issues such as production, supply, and trade. The top five most popular hybrid cars according to U.S. News (2014) include the 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid, 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid, and the 2014 Toyota Prius V. The 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid costs anywhere from $25,861 to $31, 678 depending on the specific model and additions made to the base model. The car is said to get up to 47 miles per gallon...
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...Michelle McClendon Argosy University Online Contemporary Applications of the Sciences| SCI215 M3_A2 “A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses an on-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a fuel based power source for vehicle propulsion. These vehicles use much less fuel than their counterparts and produce less emissions. Hybrid vehicles recharge their batteries by capturing kinetic energy through regenerative braking. Some hybrids use the combustion engine to generate electricity by spinning a generator to either recharge the battery or directly feed power to an electric motor that drives the vehicle. This takes place when cruising or in other situations where just light thrust is needed.” (Orloff) Hybrid Car Advantages Clean energy. An electric motor together with a gas powered engine make a vehicle that has lower emissions and better gas mileage. It conserves energy while having the power of a standard engine. Performance improvements. New technologies allow hybrids the same kind of performance as normal cars, and they are continuing to develop, improving efficiency, getting better mileage, and reducing emissions even further. Incentives. Varying from state to state and federally, hybrids may come with a tax benefit and savings in the form of much less money spent on fuel. Regenerative braking. Each time you brake, the battery is recharged a little, eliminating the need for stopping to recharge the...
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...Business Research Methods, Part III Robert LaFond, Taylor Norman, Zephyr Scott, Vennita Watson QNT 561 May 13, 2013 Sripathi Nilkar Introduction As Ford Motor Company continues to seek ways to improve its current hybrid vehicles, the company will conduct a statistical analysis of the results of the questionnaires returned by its customers. Through this analysis, Ford Motor Company will be able to identify challenges that the company faces as well as the steps needed to reduce these challenges and improving both the company’s product and image. Statistical Analysis The results gathered from the questionnaire immensely helped Ford understand new aspects of an improved Hybrid vehicle. Subject 1 was the owner of a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Subject 1 has had 4 scheduled maintenance jobs performed on the car in the past year. On average, Subject 1 only drove 100 miles per week. Usually, scheduled maintenance is performed depending on the gas mileage of the car i.e. oil changes, tire rotation and balance, etc. Subject 1 took good care of their car over the past year, but still had two serious additional car problems. The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid costs Subject 1 on average $127.06 a week in gasoline. This customer is only satisfied at level 3. Being that this is only a three year old car, these problems point to inefficiencies with manufacturing. Both are costly for the owner to replace. Subject 2 is the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius. Scheduled maintenance was performed...
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...experiences with their products All products, whether they are physical things, or services, emerge with an end user in mind. This is a key part of meeting the needs of a market. Ford carries many brands within each line. Product line depth refers to the number of versions offered of each product in the line. Thus, Ford's Fusion comes in three different models and specifications. Finally, the consistency of the product mix refers to how closely relate the various product lines are in end use, production requirements, distribution channels, or some other way. Ford Products • Passenger cars and trucks • Buses and vans • Sport utility vehicles • Vehicle accessories • After sales vehicle parts and products • Extended repair service products However, there are only limited product available in Malaysia. All-New Ford Focus 2.0L Sport+ 2.0L Sport 2.0L Titanium+ 2.0L Titanium All-New Ford Focus ST 2.0L Ecoboost GTDI Ford Ranger 2.2L XLT 4x4 Automatic 2.2L XLT 4x4 Manual 2.2L XL 4x4 Manual Ford Mondeo 2.0L EcoBoost Petrol 240PS / 340Nm Ford S-Max 2.0L EboBoost Petrol 240PS / 340Nm Ford Fiesta 1.6L Sport Ti-VCT Automatic 1.6L Sedan LX Ti-VCT Automatic 1.4L Sport LX Manual Ford Escape XLT 2.3L 4x4 XLS 2.3L 4x2 Ford...
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...Business Analysis: Ford Motor Company Milan C. Kelly MGT 521 Christopher Romano August 1, 2011 Abstract In recent years several American corporations have seen record low sales and profit accumulation. Ford Motor Company is a company that has made steps toward improving sales, profit, and meeting the needs of all stakeholders. As a mutual fund manager, I will examine the SWOT Analysis, financial statements, and trends in the market to determine if Ford Motor Company is a wise investment. Recently, Ford has changed to make the company more appealing to investors. Strengths in the company include: strong engineering capability, extensive dealer network, diversified product base, and a strong market position. Ford’s focus in improving their automobile’s engineering capability is fuel efficiency and safety. The improvement of these characteristics is more appealing to consumers and allows this company to further develop the product line. With an extensive dealer network of 17,107 Ford could market and sell automobiles globally. Acquiring such a large global distribution permits Ford to meet the demands of the market as well as their consumers. The diversified product portfolio gives Ford an advantage over the competition. New and updated vehicle models such as small, mid-size, and premium sedans, pickup trucks, compact, and sports utility vehicles give consumers...
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...Business Analysis: Ford Motor Company Milan C. Kelly MGT 521 Christopher Romano August 1, 2011 Abstract In recent years several American corporations have seen record low sales and profit accumulation. Ford Motor Company is a company that has made steps toward improving sales, profit, and meeting the needs of all stakeholders. As a mutual fund manager, I will examine the SWOT Analysis, financial statements, and trends in the market to determine if Ford Motor Company is a wise investment. Recently, Ford has changed to make the company more appealing to investors. Strengths in the company include: strong engineering capability, extensive dealer network, diversified product base, and a strong market position. Ford’s focus in improving their automobile’s engineering capability is fuel efficiency and safety. The improvement of these characteristics is more appealing to consumers and allows this company to further develop the product line. With an extensive dealer network of 17,107 Ford could market and sell automobiles globally. Acquiring such a large global distribution permits Ford to meet the demands of the market as well as their consumers. The diversified product portfolio gives Ford an advantage over the competition. New and updated vehicle models such as small, mid-size, and premium sedans, pickup trucks, compact, and sports utility vehicles give consumers of different demographics a wide range...
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... Henry Ford incorporated Ford Motor Company in 1903 at Dearborn, Michigan, USA and is known to have adapted practices that were not popular in those days. The Car Maker is known for their famous “Model T” and the unique innovation of interchangeable parts in moving assembly lines that makes it possible to assemble cars at low cost and high reliability. Ford Motor established an impressive financial track record almost throughout the 20th Century (barring the record loss of $7 billion in 1992) till the Millennium started (Alan Mullally, 2012). Ford motor Company is the second largest automobile company in the world representing a $164 billion multinational empire. Ford is primarily known as a manufacturer of cars and trucks but also operates Ford Motor Credit Company which generates over 3 billion in revenues. Ford also owns The Hertz Corporation which is the largest car rental company in the world. Ford has vehicles under the name of Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover, Aston Martin, and has a controlling interest in Mazda Motor Corporation. Ford Motor Company incurred a financial loss of about 5.45 billion dollars in 2001 and never really recovered confidently after this slump. It is said that the Ford 2000 initiative of Lord Alex Trotman was the primary reason for financial downturn of Ford Motor Company. The failure of Lord Trotman’s Ford 2000 strategy was primarily due to the vision of centralized...
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...Ford Motor Company Business Analysis I, II, & III The government offered bailout funds to assist with the failing automobile industry, Ford believed they did not need the government’s assistance, but took the funds as a contingency plan. The economy compelled Ford to review the strategic, tactical, and operational planning Along with how the human resource management teams would implement new goals and benchmarks, for the company to become more effective and efficient in providing services to their customers and stakeholders. Going global with marketing concepts has increase sales for the once bankrupted automobile industry. Today, mutual fund managers should take an interest in investing in the automobile industry. However, it may seem unfair not to promote all automobile companies, but Ford Motor Company took no funds from the government and turned their company from the red to green, literally. Ford has fulfilled most of the fundamentals for the company. One major accomplishment was lowering the company debt around 14 billion and closing the Mercury line, to expand into the global market. The company in 2010 made nine billion in global investments (Ford Motor Company, 2011.). In return, the company added tangible employee benefits, merit increases for the United States salaried employees, reinstated the 401K matching program to the employees. Continuing in 2011, the company gave out award bonuses and profit sharing to United States employees. After continuing...
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...Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company In 2008, three major U.S. automakers asked the government for a bailout. Ford, along with GMC, was two of those companies. Ford was able to mortgage enough assets and avoid for a bailout to avoid bankruptcy. Since that time, Ford has made strides toward increasing their annual income, providing more fuel efficient cars, and becoming known in the global world market. After reviewing the 2010 income statement, Ford reported a full net income of $6.6 billion. It competitors, Honda reported a full net income of $6.88 billion and GMC a full net income of $6.17 billion. Even though GMC shares are higher, Ford showed higher earnings than GM. According to Ford’s 2010 annual report, the earnings per share increased by 80 cents a share from 2009 and that the net income is Ford’s highest in more than ten years (annual report). It would be beneficial for Ford management to investigate a variety of ways to increase interest among its internal and external stakeholders to purchase stocks which in turn will help to increase the overall net profit of the company. In looking at the balance sheet, Ford reported the most in liabilities and long term debt. However, Ford showed greater earnings assets than both Honda and GMC (Appendix B). Honda reported the lowest amount in liabilities and a significantly lower long term debt than Ford (Appendix B). Overall, GMC fared better than Ford on the balance sheet with the lowest long term debt and decreased...
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...concepts of ‘product’ or ‘commodity’ chains. The product market is growing stadily, with new, advanced and more complex products being introduced into the competitive global market. However, “there´s no single company which has all the neccessary knowledge about either the product or required process to completely design and manufacture them in house”(www.hbs.edu). Thus, analysis such as commodity chains and sector matrix is essential to identify their comparitive advantages and use them to establish themselves in a long run. This essay will begin with a defination or an overview of both sector matix and commodity chains, followed by a detailed comparison, in order to know which gives a better strategic understanding of product markets, such as the automobile market. I will also discuss how sector matrix have been successful for Ford and how it hasn´t for other product markets. The sector matrix framework is an extension to Porter´s “value chain” and Gereffi´s ´product` or `commodity` chains. Poter defines value chains as “Every firm is a collection of activities that performed to design,produce, market, deliver and support its product. All these activities can be described using a value chain....”(porter,1985:pp.36) and provides a framework to understand the shifts in corporate strategy. Sector matrix is applied to complex products which require complicated infrastructure and complementary services before they can be used, such as, motoring (cars) and pharmaceutical, products...
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