The Performance of the Vehicle - BMW X1 - Assignment Example

Name Tutor Date Course Research Report of a Car Question 1 The performance of the vehicle is an important aspect of its objectivity in the market. The BMW X1 is a high performance vehicle that suits the objectives of the customers. Its speed is 220km/hr. Its acceleration is also 7.4/7.7 which is suitable for the customers. This is also an improvement of the earlier versions of BMW which also had a high marketability. On the other hand, the vehicle has important features like the ear wheel drive which is convenient for different conditions. The safety features of the vehicle are also important for the purposes of handling emergencies. These features are available in the BMW X1 and it has the ability to handle accidents and emergencies. The presence of the airbag is an important consideration that can save lives during the emergencies. Competence of the product is also an important quality objective that has to be met during the production process (Carr, 2003). The company always ensures that tests are made for the cars before being released to the market. This is mainly for the purposes of achieving competency. The durability of a product is also an important consideration for the customers (Chopra, et al, 2004). The BMW X1 is highly durable and hence its convenience to the customers. The durability is attributed to the strong materials used for the manufacture of the vehicle. Since the vehicle is among the latest models, it comes in a variety of colors depending on the needs of the customers. This is an important aesthetic aspect of the vehicle. The service characteristics also play an important role in terms of determining the objectives of the product (Corsten, 2004). Due to a strong chain supply of the company, the access to the product by the customers is guaranteed. The company is also reliable as it has the ability to meet the demands of the customers and hence satisfying their needs. The personal needs as well as the expectations of the customers are also success factors for the product. These factors have been considered in the design of the vehicle and hence its reliability. The needs of the customers are usually understood during the design process. It is for this reason that the BMW X1 is able to meet most of the customer demands (Kable, 2010). Question 2 The continuous innovation of a product plays an important role in terms of improving its performance in the market. The BMW X1 was developed due to the improvements from the previous versions of BMW. The innovations of new products in the market are also factor that enables the product to meet the emerging challenges in the market (Cox, 2004). The use of technology is one of the challenges that have effects on the products in the market. The technological challenges have to be addressed in the development of a product. This also played an important role in the development of BMW X1 which has the ability of addressing the technological challenges. Strengthening the quality of the product is also an important factor that should be considered in the in order to meet the needs and requirements of the customers. This can only be achieved through innovations and development of new products. The quality of BMW X1 has been strengthened due to the innovations carried out over the years. The changes in the engineering processes also need to be addressed. This requires a change in the design of the manufactured product by a company. It is thus important for a company to ensure that the modern engineering processes are adopted for the purposes of addressing the manufacturing needs (Croxton, et al, 2001). Other factors like the redundancy also force the companies to be innovation. In the motor vehicle manufacturing industry, it is also important for the companies to be innovative so as to achieve mass production. This is for the purposes of ensuring that the demand issues of the product are addressed. The innovativeness of BMW X1 has enabled the company to meet the high demand of the vehicles in the market. Innovativeness within the company is also for the purposes of ensuring that the processes are simplified (Davenport, 2005). This can be achieved through the use of technology or through the modification of the product parts. Question 3 The internal and external organizational parties are important for the purposes of delivering a product in the market. This is also applicable in the delivery of BMW X1 in the market. Internal departments within the company work together to ensure that the product is designed and produced accordingly. The technology department in the company plays an important role in ensuring that the latest technology is availed for the purposes of meeting the demands of the customers (Gottfredson, et al, 2005). This department has experts in various fields who work with the technicians of the company to incorporate the technological concepts during the manufacturing process. The financial department of the company also plays an important role in ensuring that the monetary supply is available for the purposes of implementing the plans. The financial department is also responsible for determining the nature of which the work should be carried out. This also includes the new modifications that should be done in the market. The total cost of production is also dependant on the financial department estimates and allocation of funds. This also includes the purchase of the raw materials, meeting the labor costs as well as the manufacturing process. Intensive labor is usually required during the manufacturing process. This is taken care of by the human resource department of the company. The department is responsible for the recruitment of workers in the company. The department has to recruit enough personnel in all the departments of the company so as to ensure that all the operations are carried out smoothly. The inventory team on the other hand is responsible for controlling the store supplies of the company. The marketing team is responsible for creating a link between the customers and the company. The stock of supply has to be maintained at all times. This is for the purposes of avoiding the lack of raw materials to manufacture the products and different stages. The external suppliers are also guided by the marketing internal supply teams. Actuator is one of the external suppliers of the company and it deals with marketing the products. It also plays an important role in terms of managing the websites of the company. This is mainly for the purposes of marketing the cars. The external suppliers are also responsible for the delivery of quality customer services in order to improve on the sales figures and meet the demands of the customers in the market (Kagermann, 2008). Question 4 The continuous flow of the product in the market is important in terms of meeting the aims and objectives of the customers. This is usually guided by the external market forces that determine the demand of the product. The needed supply has to be availed in the market for the purposes of achieving the continuous supply of the products. The company always ensures that the raw materials are available at all times. This is achieved by keeping proper inventory records that controls the use of the raw materials within the company. This is also considering that the availability of the raw materials is dependent on the other suppliers that have been contracted by the company. Establishing a good relationship with the suppliers has also been useful to the company in terms of protecting its continuous flow. Achieving profitability is a priority for the company. This plays an important role in terms of ensuring the availability of funds for sponsoring the operations of the company for the purposes of coming up with the new and innovative products. This guarantees the company full operations throughout the year. The marketing strategies are also important for the company in terms of ensuring that the customers continuously purchase the products of the company. This is in terms of promoting the sustainability of the company (Kirby, 2003). The environmental concerns are also important for the company in terms of ensuring the continuous flow of supply. This is because the company is in the manufacturing sector which plays an important role in the environmental issues. The sustainable environmental programs are thus important for the purposes of ensuring that the company is able to operate in future. This has been achieved by the company through the green initiatives that it has established. The initiatives are also for the purposes of enduring that low amount of electricity is consumed during the production process and hence achieving the sustainability. The green initiatives are also important aspects of the future supplies and are supported by frameworks that have been developed in most of the countries. Organizational supply and sustainability table Department Supplies Sustainability Procurement Negotiation with suppliers. Engaging with the trade associates. Manufacturing Supplying finished products Adopting the green technology. Logistics Supplying transport services for the raw materials. Choosing a smartWay carrier (BMW GROUP, 2013) Information technology Supplying modern and recent technologies. Use of cloud computing. Finance Monetary supplies. Use of registers and new technology. Inventory Monitoring the store supplies Use of inventory systems. Suppliers Bridgestone Supply of tyres (BMW GROUP, 2013) Engaging the supplier during the pprocess Peak performance Driving kits Collaboration with the supplier Question 5 The interaction between the customers, supplier and the organization plays an important role in terms of determining the sustainability of the BMW X1 in the market. This is also important for the purposes of making future plans concerning the operations of the company. In order to achieve this, the factors that promote growth have to be considered. OK NO YES Works Cited Corsten, D, et al, 2004, ‘Stock-Outs cause walkouts’, Harvard Business Review, vol.82, no. 5, pp26-8. Cox, A, 2004, ‘The art of the possible: relationship management in power regimes and supply chains. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol.9, no. 5, pp346-56. Croxton, K, et al, 2001, ‘The supply chain management processes’, International Journal of Logistics Management, vol.12, no. 2, pp13-36. Davenport, T, 2005, ‘Automated decision making comes of age’, Sloan Management Review, Carr, N, 2003, ‘IT doesn't matter’, Harvard Business Review, vol. 81, no. 5, pp41-9. Chopra, S, et al, 2004, Supply Chain Management, 2nd edn. Pearson Education International, New Jersey. Gottfredson, M, et al, 2005, ‘Strategic sourcing: From periphery to the core’, Harvard Business Review, vol.83, no 2, pp132-9. Kagermann, H, 2008, ‘Reinventing your business model’, Harvard Business Review, vol.86, no.12, pp50-59. Kirby, J, 2003, ‘Supply chain challenges: Building relationships’, Harvard Business Review, vol.81, no.7, pp 64-73. Kable, G, 2010, "''AutoWeek'': "BMW X1: Striving to be the driver's choice among small SUVs"". Autoweek.com. BMW GROUP, 2013, BMW driving experience partners, Retrieved on 17 September 2013 from, Read More