The Performance Advantage ( APICS Publication)
The automotive industry segment of the US economy is a major employer and a big contributor of the
US Gross National Product. There many other industries in manufacturing sector like aircraft, jet
engines, equipment, steel agribusiness, consumer electronics to name a few.
In the last few decades, this industry has seen its fortunes decline, its market share dwindle and
employment prospects worsen. During the same period of time, imports from Japan, Europe, and Korea
have gained market share and sales volumes. ( Comment on supply chain issues since 2020 )
This can be explained from the standpoint of strategies and tactics adopted by major automakers from
these countries. Global strategies including building multinational plants for styling, design and
manufacturing have defined these auto makers which has resulted in spectacular successes and failures
for these auto makers.
Perform a critical analysis of the strategies and tactics adopted by these auto makers and make a
convincing case for the results achieved by these companies. Your choice of two automakers or
manufacturing companies is from the following (not limited to only these) list: GM, Ford, Daimler
Chrysler, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan and Tesla. Other manufacturing industries include Caterpillar,
Komatsu, Boeing, Airbus, General Electric, United Technologies, Otis Elevator, English Electric, Samsung,
Apple etc. Comment on how manufacturing industry has coped with events of last year ( 2020)
Your analysis should cover distinctive competencies, order qualifiers, and order winners for the two
candidates of your choice. Your analysis should cover marketing, operations, pricing, product quality,
product differentiation and customer satisfaction issues.
Material for this report can be found in the library and or well known web site articles. Sources for
reference are (but not limited to)
- Quality Progress
- American Machinist
- Manufacturing Systems
- Industrial Engineer
- Manufacturing Automation
- Harvard Business Review
- Information Age
- Business Week
- Industry Week
- Modern Machine Shop
- Materials Handling Engineering
- The Performance Advantage ( APICS Publication)