The automotive industry consists of a variety of companies and organizations working in the manufacturing, production, design, sales, and distribution of automobiles. It is among the most profitable industries by revenues. With a large market share, the demand for a variety of automotive products and services from many manufacturers are at an all-time high.
The Automotive business is a complicated and demanding one. Not only do you have to find and develop products that consumers want and need, but you also must create marketing strategies that appeal to the needs of your target audience. For example, in the automotive industry, there are many different brands of cars. With a diverse product portfolio, you need to ensure that your products and services remain viable and up-to-date, and do not lose the recognition that has built up over the years with each new model of automobile that is manufactured.
Your products and services can be developed based on the product’s value proposition, or the reason for its production. For example, the purpose of an automobile is for transportation, not for recreation, so an automobile manufactured to run on diesel fuel has a different value proposition than an automobile that runs on gasoline. These types of product value propositions make the difference between a successful company and one that fails.
A company’s ability to meet consumer demand and continue to offer quality products and services is contingent on how the company manages its finances. If a company does not keep its balance in good condition, the overall quality of the company’s products and services will be affected. A poor balance sheet, a high debt ratio, and a weak credit profile means that a company is likely to default on its loans, or suffer major damage to its assets. The company may not be able to get credit, or may be required to sell certain parts of its assets or liquidate some of its stock in order to make the necessary payments on its debts. The company will also lose its ability to do business, as customers will turn elsewhere for their needs.
Many Automotive businesses operate with small, or even no, start-up capital. As a result, these businesses must have the capacity to make necessary capital investments and pay down their debt to stay viable. The longer-term viability of a company depends on how well it maintains its credit profile, and how it performs in the market.
Automotive businesses depend heavily on a variety of aspects of their operation. They include: