...Using Perceptual Maps in Marketing Krissinda Richards MKT 421 December 21, 2011 Dr. Dyrren Davis Using Perceptual Maps in Marketing In the world’s market things are constantly changing. Products are introduced, have a growth period, then it starts to decline and eventually replaced with something new.The Thorr motorcycle simulation describes how the product life cycle of the Cruiser Thorr develops and then slowly declines as time and people change. In this situation, the CruiserThorr has had a lengthy product life cycle and the know the question is should the company think of new ways to reposition the Crusier Thorr in the market to appease the next generation or come up with a newer more fashionable model to replace it. Thorr Motorcycles must determine the motorcycles position in the market using a perceptual map. This map will chart the consumer’s views about the Cruiser Thorr and help the company make a final decision. Perceptual Map In the first step of using the perceptual map is selecting the parameters in which to reposition the cruiser in the market. The optimal parameters chosen are the lifestyle image, price, service offerings, and quality engineering. The Lifestyle image is the most powerful characteristic because it is design to persuade the customer buy into the image and not the functional attributes of the product. Quality engineering covers the product design, engine capacity and design, styling and the uniqueness of the product. These are important...
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...Using Perceptual Maps in Marketing MKT/421 May 9, 2012 University of Phoenix Thorr motorcycles are a 5.5 billion dollar company that produces more than 200,000 units annually. The Thorr Company licensed dealers to sell t-shirts, leather goods, and toys. The Thorr motorcycle company recently saw a decline in the Thorr cruiser that in the past has been the company’s top-selling cruiser. Sale declines are attributed to target age groups no longer taking interest in the lifestyle that the Thorr cruiser portrays and also a younger group of customers. There are main three objectives of this simulation that will be addressed. The first Task and objective was to identify the appropriate parameters and complete the perceptual map. The second task and objective was to create an effective marketing plan with an budget of $13 Million dollars and the decision whether to launch a new product or reposition the company altogether together. The final objective was to identify the parameter values that would take the company into the future. The first objective was determining the perceptual map parameters. The map will show a realistic visual of how consumers feel about the products and services being offered. There were four parameters chosen and the chosen parameters were lifestyle image, quality engineering, service offering, and price. The parameters chosen were chosen because they were the most important aspects of marketing located in the simulation. The lifestyle image...
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...Using Perceptual Maps in Marketing Paper MKT/421 Using Perceptual Maps in Marketing Paper The manufacturing company that makes more than 200,000 cycles each year is called Thorr Motorcycles. They have a prize bike called the Cruiser Thor. This is a billion dollar company which provides training and services along with software packages which come from the dealer. They also sell other cycles with other merchandise that includes shoe, leather items, helmets, etc. In addition, customers can choose to purchase more services which include motorcycle training for inexperienced riders or they have the option to rent the bike. Situations, Solutions and Results In the first situation the numbers at Thorr are decreasing due to the company having older customers and having those who have begun to lose interest. The young consumers are more interested in bikes that are not too expensive because their disposable income is not that large. Thorr must now develop a marketing strategy which will cause a reverse in the decline. The task is to determine what the position of the company market is in by working with the perceptual map. In addition, a selection of four parameters which are fundamentally significant to that industry and show the largest capability for Cruiser Thorr, is necessary. I chose Price Cool, Quality Engineering, and Lifestyle Image as my fundamental parameters. I realize that instead of choosing cool, that services offered might have been the better choice. It is...
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...Perceptual Maps in Marketing Perceptual maps are a tool that provides input directly from marketing research to the strategic market plan. The perceptual map is graphic illustrations of the data that is collected. The map will only be valid for the parameters that are used to develop the map. There are many aspects of the company to explore, market research to analyze, and competitive intelligence to review. This information will help to identify the items for the perceptual map and the new marketing plan. This paper will explore the use of perceptual maps in marketing. In this paper, the situation, recommendation, and the results will be describe. The information from the simulation will show the relationship between differentiation and positioning of the products. “Thorr Motorcycles, Inc. is a $5 billion company.” (University of Phoenix, n.d). They makes motorcycles as well as sells licensed merchandise. Annually, the motorcycle industry is increasing but the sales of the CruserThorr are decreasing. The age group of the target customers are growing older and growing out of the motorcycles lifestyles. The younger generation are not intrigue with the Thorr lifestyle but they are interest in a less expensive motorcycle. The four recommendations are lifestyle image, product design and styling, product uniqueness, and quality engineering for the focus of the perceptual map. These four parameters are relevant to the motorcycle industry and reflect the highest potential...
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...Perceptual Maps in Marketing MKT 421 Perceptual Maps in Marketing Perceptual Maps Thor Motorcycles, Incorporated builds motorcycles and motorcycle accessories. “Thor motorcycles currently produce more than 200,000 units” The company specializes in the Cruiser Thorr, its high-end motorcycle. The Cruiser Thorr helps the company maintain five billion dollar sales in its industry. Unfortunately, the current buyers are growing older, and the motorcycle is not attracting new buyers. The marketing team has decided because of the decline in sales that it must make a decision to change the marketing of the Cruiser Thorr or launch a new line referred to as the RRoth. The use of a perceptual map will be necessary to base this decision on the best move for the company. The perceptual map will be broken down into three sections. Phase I A new age group of consumers is entering the motorcycle industry. “The younger age demographic (21-35) have less disposable income and are looking for a new symbol of lifestyle with motorcycles”. [ (Using Perceptual Maps in Marketing, 2012) ] The other factor affecting sales of the Cruiser Thorr is competitors entering the market and pulling sales from Thor Motorcycles. The Anazai made by Haruhiso-Daisetsu Motorcycles and Espritiques made by Michelin Motorcycles offer consumers more services and lower prices. The fun and safer image also attributes to the loss of sales. Marketing research shows that at the current level the Cruiser Thorr rates...
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...Perceptual Map Simulation MKT 421 Perceptual Map Simulation Introduction This paper will take a look at a perceptual map simulation of a motorcycle manufacturer which produces a motorcycle called Cruiser Thorr. A perceptual map is a visual representation of the customer’s perception of the brand, which helps in its positioning. A perceptual map can have several parameters which can overlap in their descriptions. These overlapping parameters are the superficial attributes of a product, and several of them often define a product’s fundamental parameter. (Using Perceptual Maps in Marketing, General Marketing, Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu). This paper will look at several fundamental parameters, including lifestyle image, product design and styling, product uniqueness, and quality engineering. This paper will look at the three major phases in the simulation, Positioning Strategy, which determines differentiation based on Product, Price, Promotion, Place and Services. SWOT Analysis which looks at strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the product brand. Finally, Market Research, which looks at Consumer preferences by age group, income group, and financing requirement. These major phases are all used to form a marketing plan. In this simulation, this writer has joined CruiserThorr as a Marketing Manager. The first step in the marketing manager’s new position is to formulate a positioning strategy by constructing...
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...Perceptual Maps in Marketing Jennifer Cantrell August 5, 2013 MKT/421 In this simulation, Thorr Motorcycles, Inc. manufactures higher end motorcycles. They currently produces more than 200,000 each year. The company’s top seller is the CruiserThorr however sales have been dropping due to the aging of the company’s current target market. The CruiserThorr does not have as much appeal for the younger target markets due to the pricing strategy. Since it is a more expensive machine, the higher price tag is generally out of the younger target markets price range. To ensure profitablir introduce a new productlty, Thorr Motorcycles marketing team must develop a strategy to either reposition the CruiserThorr, or introduce a new product that will attract the younger target market. The RRoth is a potential new product that has a higher fuel-efficiency and will be targeted to younger markets. To determine which action the company should take, the simulation uses perceptual maps. To analyze the results of the simulation one breaks the sections into three: the situation, recommended solutions, and results of the marketing decision. As the company’s current target market ages, a younger target market emerges. This new target market has less disposable income than the aging target market. Competitors have already begun to target this new age group with economy-priced versions of their products (University of Phoenix, 2004). These companies are...
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...Using a Perceptual Map for Thorr Motorcycle, Inc. MKT/421 March 25, 2013 Perceptual Map Company Bio Motorcycles have been marketed as the masculine, mobility and freedom machine since the early 1900s. Crusier Thorr is no different. It is a high-powered, efficient motorcycle modeled after the God of Thunder himself. Cruiser Thorr is prized for it strong, honest and dependable product design; however, with the changing demographics of its target market, the company has hired a new Marketing Manager to re-market the high-end bike to a younger market. This paper will describe the decisions made by the new marketing manager and the company’s attempt to re-invent their marketing strategies to push this bike into a demographically challenging market. The Situation An important attribute to Thorr’s Motorcycle, Inc. is Lifestyle Image. Lifestyle image creates the need for customers to purchase the line “Cruiser Thorr” because of the masculinity and freedom it represents. The perceptual map is a visual description of a customer's perception of the brand. Thorr's motorcycles were positioned as high-priced and that perception did not fit the market for younger consumers that have less money to spend then mature consumers. Thor began to see a decline in its market position due to the escalated price and the life style image presented was targeted toward the older generation. Considering the decline in sales, Thorr’s Motorcycles, Inc. had to make changes to the image it projected...
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...Thorr Motorcycles MKT/421 April 14, 2014 Using Perceptual Maps in Marketing: Thorr Motorcycles Thorr Motorcycles, Inc. has a current worth in excess of five billion dollars and is manufacturing over 200,000 units annually. Thorr represents 40% of the total market which makes this company a leading name within the industry. Thorr don’t only sell motorcycles but offers dealership training, dealer software support and mechanical training. For customers, Thorr offers motorcycle rentals and biker training. The projected image of CruiserThorr is of “masculinity, mobility, and freedom”. Currently Thorr is experiencing a decline in sales and wants to know the reason. Thorr can survey customers as to their needs and desires in a motorcycle and then change accordingly (University of Phoenix, 2014). Phase I: Where is the Thunder? The problem is decreasing sales. “The motorcycle industry is growing annually, but sales of Thorr Motorcycles' existing product, CruiserThorr are decreasing.” Thorr's target market is mature individuals, over 40 years of age. Younger persons are generally less likely to afford the “Cruiser Thorr". Thorr needs to redesign the marketing strategy to increase its sales and attract new customers (University of Phoenix, 2014). Market position of CruiserThorr will be determined by using a perceptual map. Positioning on the map will be based on four fundamental parameters that can be used to promote Thorr...
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...Running head: USING PERCEPTUAL MAPS IN MARKETING Using Perceptual Maps in Marketing Simulation MKT/421 The Situation Producing more than 200,000 “plus” units per year, Thorr Motorcycles, is a billion dollar manufacturing company. Thorr also offers such services as dealer training, dealer software packages, motorcycle rentals, and rider training, just to name a few. The image that CruiserThorr symbolizes is one of “masculinity, mobility, and freedom”. To gain insight in this positioning and reason Thorr is experiencing a decline in sales, Thorr can use representation of the consumer’s view of the product. Increase sales/profits, Thorr will need to change the consumer view of his or her motorcycles. Phase I “The motorcycle industry is growing annually, but sales of Thorr Motorcycle’s existing product Cruiser Thorr have been decreasing. This decrease is because of the aging of target customers. In addition, the young generation of consumers with smaller incomes, is looking for a motorcycle that they can afford with their income. To reverse declining sales a new marketing plan is needed. Four fundamental parameters selected. First, Lifestyle Image, easily considered the most important role in the production of motorcycles, and is the best selection for the perceptual map. This is a very dominant attribute because the image will sway consumers into purchasing the product rather than the other functional attributes. Second, Quality engineering covers all...
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...Thor Motorcycles, Inc. xxxxxxx MKT/421 March 26, 2013 Thorr Motorcycles, Inc. Thorr Motorcycles, Inc. is a five billion dollar company that manufactures high-end motorcycles for a commanding forty percent of the market share. Viewed as a high brand image, Thorr Motorcycles, Inc. manufactures more than 200,000 motorcycles every year. On top of that, they also offer services including motorcycle rentals, dealer software packages, dealer training, rider training, and motorist riding apparel. In this simulation, the problem at hand is their line designed for the age range of 35 – 50, and the decrease of interest and sales for that particular bike. The reasons for the decline in sales is due to the age bracket it is designed for losing interest in the product and lifestyle, while the younger groups typically do not have the money available to purchase that style. This is a rising issue and is causing Thorr Motorcycles to lose market share although they are still a successful company. Thorr has realized this issue needs to be addressed immediately before too much of the market share is lost, therefore, they have brought me in as Marketing Manager in an attempt to create a perceptual map and re focus the marketing and advertising strategies. During my time at Thorr I am expected to establish parameters, decide whether to reposition the existing brand or launch a new product, and develop new parameters based on sales surveys of the new product. The CruiserThorr...
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...Using Perceptual Maps MKT/421 4/27/2014 Marc Mcclintock Using Perceptual Maps Thorr Motorcycles is a company that manufactures 200,000 motorcycles a year. It’s a very high end brand and known for its quality products including T-shirts, shoes, leather goods, toys, and other consumer items. In this economy were things are currently changing Thorr is affected by a growing industry, but sales of its high-end motor cycle is decreasing. The reason for this loss of market share is that the target customers of its high end 2 wheeler is growing older, and younger people do not identify with the brand image of Thorr. The Situation CruiserThorr needed a makeover to appeal to a younger customer and increase sales. The older bikes that are utilized by existing consumers are more expensive and not selling due to the target market getting old. The first step in the simulation is to determine the market position of The Cruiser Thorr using a perceptual map. There are four parameters that must be selected in the simulation, and I chose Lifestyle Image, Coolness, quality engineering and Product Uniqueness. It appears that the size of the polygon is irrelevant because the most accurate choices were lifestyle image, service offerings, quality engineering, and price. My logic is the larger the polygon the bigger the market share. The logic according to the simulation is that the service is a way to keep existing customers pleased, and quality engineering is a necessity for a motorcycle...
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...Summary - Cruiser Thorr Angela DiMattia MKT/421 June 4, 2012 Matthew Rosenberg Markeitng Simulation Summary - Cruiser Thorr Thorr Motorcycles Inc. is a leader in the motorcycle industry with a turn-over of $ 5 billion, 200,000 units produced yearly, and 40% market share. What drove Thorr Motorcycles Inc. to success is the Lifestyle positioning which created a status buying in the high-end range market. The company’s management is headed by Benjamin Bao, the CEO, a highly experienced executive who leads the company, along with other seniors like Chriss Write, Chief Engineer, and Meredith Killgore, VP Brand communications. The target market for Thorr Motorcycles Inc. is the high-end segment, and customers’ age ranges from 35 to 50 years old. However lately, the company is suffering from sales decrease and loss of market share, mainly because target customers are getting older and are not interested anymore in buying into the lifestyle CruiserThorr represents. Additionally, competitors are focusing on new products sold at cheaper prices, and targeting the young generation with low disposable income. Thus, the newly hired marketing manager has been asked to revert this trend with a new marketing plan. Market research, data comparison, and mapping give a better understanding of where the company stands today in terms of brand recognition and customers’ perception. Perceptual maps are used to gather all relevant competitive...
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...MKT/421 May 4, 2012 Perceptual Maps Simulation Introduction While taking the simulation an individual can learn how to use the perceptual maps of marketing to their advantage in different markets. The maps are identified by way of “widely used tools in marketing that provide a visual representation of customer perceptions towards objects (products, brands or companies), and how these are positioned in the marketplace” (The Marketing Analysts, 2011) The paper discussion will explain the suggested results for the simulation in addition to individual outcome. The positioning and differentiation will also be explained and how they relate to the perceptual map simulation. While taking the simulation one could see that the product life cycle was effected during scenarios. Simulation The motorcycle company produced over 200,000 motorcycles a year and the most popular one is the Cruiser Thorr. Major problem came when the customer base started to change and the sales started to decline. The reason for the decline in sales is the demographic the motorcycle company decided to target. They decided to target the older generation and priced the Thorr too high for the younger generation. Being that the motorcycle company decided to market to the more mature demographic the company did not focus their marketing on the younger generation thus they were not even aware of the motorcycles. That decision had a great effect on the sale of the motorcycles. Only targeting the older...
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...Thorr Cruisers Paper Student MKT/421 October 11, 2010 Instructor: Name Thorr Cruisers Paper In the Thorr Cruiser simulation, the sales of Thorr Cruiser have been decreasing steadily. This forced the need to redevelop the company’s marketing plan, which includes the determination of whether to introduce a new line of motorcycles. The simulation educates the student with the interpretation of the market research data using a perceptual map. “Perceptual mapping can be used to give you that additional insight into the current position of your product and its potential in the face of competition” (Outsourcing2India, 2010). The simulation uses this technique to analyze the perception of the Thorr Cruiser to ascertain the reasons for declining sales and to formulate a strategy for improvement in the positioning of Thorr Cruiser. The improvement of the positioning of Thorr Cruiser will rely on implementing changes in the company’s marketing mix. The marketing mix refers to the combination of product, place, promotion, and pricing strategies. The final marketing mix that will help reposition Thorr Cruiser. While running the simulation the marketing mix used was price, services, engineering, and financial options. Price is important to position Thorr Cruiser as a premium product. Pricing affects the perceptions of customers and so lifestyle pricing has been used. In addition, lifestyle pricing will support quality engineering so that the Thorr Cruiser that rolls out...
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