Home / Research Paper / The Flying Car, Research Paper Example

The Flying Car, Research Paper Example

Pages: 5

Words: 1290

Using the information provided and any additional research you conduct, develop a table describing the flying vehicles discussed in terms of the attributes in which buyers are likely to be interested. (10%)

Vehicle model

Attributes

Target Market Segment

The Switch Blade

A wood mock up of a flying helicopter, small in size and aimed at being quite versatile. It has capacity for two people and fifty pound of cargo as well. It has retractable blades that have a pocket knife sort of a fit onto the sides of it composite frame. The car can do a speed of up to 160 miles per hour. It also has fuel consumption of sixty miles a gallon on the ground and twenty two miles per gallon in the air.

Other features include its body frame being composite as well as being three wheeled.

Long distance commuters as well as pilots living long distances from their work places.

Transition Roadable Aircraft

It can fit into a single parking space. It has a control set up that features an aircraft’s cockpit while at the same time it has pedals similar to a car. It has capacity for one person as well as cargo space enough for a set of golf sticks. It can attain speeds of up to 115 miles per hour. It has a high cruise speed as well as good packing capacity

Its market target is the long distance commuters as well as pilots who want the convenience and avoid traffic jam.

Autovolantor

This is a flying car model designed so as to borrow heavily from the Ferari model. It is designed to attain speed of 240 Kilometres per hour on the ground and 120 kilometres per hour in the air. It is a two-seater car. The Autovolantor is highly computerised making it usable by the amateurs with no skills at piloting

This model being computerised is usable by all people who fancy driving without being caught up in the traffic snarl ups. It also targets fast moving executives.

The segments to which the models may be targeted are the pilots who need to beat the traffic jams as well as other amateurs and executives.

The Pilots

This group will need a vehicle that has controls that are close to the aeroplanes they are used to. They will therefore valuate the product based on the navigation and controls as well as speed.

The Amateurs and Executives

These are interested in a car that will be easy to use and fast. This means that a very complicated cockpit will put this group off since they do not have piloting skills. They will also need a car that can easily deliver them to their destinations while assuring their safety.

List and explain the factors which are generally important in making a channel strategy decision. (20%)

The fist factor is the availability of distributor sales force. One needs to establish whether such a force is available and if not makes plans to establish it. This includes evaluating all the available distribution option as well as costs of establishing these distributorships. This distribution channel is important in reaching out to the market.

The second factor is the channel partners that one intends to utilise in the distribution strategy. These partners range from agents to retailers. These are involved in active marketing for the products. Besides being involved in handling the products, they are also involved in determining how well the customers receive the products. To this end the customers are expected to get the marketing information from these channel partners who will serve a good purpose.

The other important factor to consider is the available market knowledge. This means accessing all the available market knowledge. This is an important factor in marketing since the knowledge is vital in designing packaging as well as marketing the product. Market research is therefore vital in determining the approach as well as future growth strategies that are to be adopted. The prospects of mounting market campaigns to combat the competitors are also vital in making channel decisions (Friedman & Lawrence 1999)

The last factor is the flexibility and ability to respond to changes in the market. This implies that the channel decisions should be amenable to changes to combat the challenges in the market as well as respond to the competitor’s moves in the market. This flexibility also allows you to make sudden changes when customers demand different services or products. This changes will enable you meet the customers demand.

Choose TWO flying vehicles from the table and using the information from items 1., 2., and 3. describe an appropriate distribution strategy for each one, using one page each. The two flying vehicles you select must be related to different segments. In describing your proposed distribution strategies explain your reasoning for recommending them, referring to the information in the table in item 1. above as well as the map of U.S. airports accessible below and ensuring that you indicate to which segment(s) your chosen flying vehicles are targeted.

The Switch Blade

The switch blade is a plane that is intended for the pilots who commute long distances getting to and from work. The aim is to provide them with a fast and efficient means of travel and overcome the challenge posed by traffic jams and congestion. The pilots will enjoy the two benefits that the switch blade promises to come with. The first benefit is the benefit of saving time. The pilots will be able to commute with ease from their homes to the workplaces. The second benefit is easing them from traffic snarl ups and the ever so common road rage. Its also of essence to note that the users of this facility will be able to enjoy more time in their homes and more relaxation since they will save the time spent on the road. The best distribution strategy for this product is therefore through using the existing and established brands as the launch pads.

Most of the pilots have experience with the major brands and aeroplane brands which they have flown. The planes are therefore best sold through affiliation with the existing plane brands as well as the existing airlines. By partnering with these airlines the switch blade will get enough mileage. The marketers will therefore be able to easily understand the market dynamics and hence respond appropriately (BPP 2009)

The Autovolator

The main target of this model is the ever busy business executives who will and other people in fast paced careers as well as other such occupations with no prior flight experience. These are people who fancy speed and can afford the comfort. The main idea is to grant them the speed and convenience that they need while they meet the extra costs.

The people targeted by this product are people with no flight experience. To reach them as well as appeal to them, it would be good to market the product through the already existing agents as well as scoping the existing market knowledge. The main aim here is to reach these customers with ease and as well as ensure they reach the product easily. This would mean distributing the product through an established car brand distributors. The use of the existing motor vehicle salesmen who know the market would make the distribution fast and cost effective. This will also mean that they product can ride on the bank of the more established brands as well as enjoy the established popularity.

References

BNET Editorial. Developing a Channel Strategy. Retrieved 18 Feb 2010. Available. http://www.bnet.com/2410-13237_23-168339.html.

BPP Learning Media ( 2009). Performance Management. London

Friedman, Lawrence G., and Timothy R. Furey (1999). The Channel Advantage: Going to Market with Multiple Sales Channels to Reach More Customers, Sell More Products, Make More Profit. New York. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Peter Kente. The evolution of the flying car. Leader Post. Regina, Sask.: Jul 26, 2007