The electric car , Practicalities and Prospects Essay

The electric car , Practicalities and Prospects - Essay Example In the context of this reality some of the states in the U.S. have passed laws requiring that a minimum percentage of sales made must be zero emission vehicles. Although the law does not explicitly mention electric car, they are the most feasible alternative as of now (Lave, 2005). Also, helping the case for electric cars are chemicals such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds are extremely hazardous to humans as well as the ecosystems they live in. Several studies have shown that the exhaust gases released by petroleum run cars are the contributor to this pollution. This pollution has no small part to play in the general increase in temperatures across the world, also called â€Å"global warming†. At this juncture the introduction of electric cars in the market is not only a good business opportunity but a better alternative for humans and their environments alike. In this respect, the prospects are quite good for electric cars in the near future, until a better technology replaces it (Newbery, 2001). On the flip side generating electricity for recharging batteries can lead to significant harm to the environment. A transition to electric cars, as made compulsory already in some parts of the world, is proven to be no more environment friendly than cars that run on low-emission petrol. Factories making lead-acid batteries would release higher levels of toxic lead. Low-toxicity batteries on the other hand are not yet suited for mass manufacture (Ochoa, 1997). The possible dangers of rechargeable batteries are illustrated in the following passage: â€Å"For vehicles that are to be mass produced in the future, lead-acid batteries are likely to be the only practical technology. Smelting and recycling the lead for these batteries will result in substantial releases of lead to the environment. Lead is a neurotoxin,

Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 17

Strategic Management - Essay Example l segment along with other major players that include but is not limited to Mercedes Benz, General Motors, Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen (Sturgeon, Biesebroeck and Gereffi, 2008). Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) is based in Munich and started out as a aero-engine manufacturing company in 1917. Subsequently it transferred its attention to the business activity of manufacturing motorcycles and then into passenger cars. In 1936 BMW brought out its first sports care model and by the middle of the twentieth century established itself in the automobile industry as a manufacturer of elegant, prestigious and superior performance automobiles. In the new millennium, through its restructuring activities BMW has attempted to secure and strengthen its position in the premium segment of automobiles, through its prestigious BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brands (ICMR, 2002). In 2009 the number of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce cars that were sold totaled 1,286,610 units. This figure represents a slide of 10.4% in the number of cars in all its brands sold by BMW in 2008. A similar slide is also seen in the sales revenue for the two years. In 2009 the total sales volume was euro 47,737 million, which is 10.3% less than the total sales volume of BMW in 2008. The company has attributed the under performance in 2009 to the continuing poor state of the economies in its main markets in the developed world and the economic stimulus attempted in the developed world not really making the desired impact (BMW, 2010). Thierauf 2001, p.206 defines critical success factors (CSF) for any business enterprise as â€Å"the limited number of areas in which results, if they are satisfactory, will ensure successful competitive performance†. The wider picture on CSF and the key activities connected to it, besides favorable results in these areas for the achievement of strategic objectives, also means that it indicates where things need to proceed on the right path for the growth of the business enterprise and