While the political climate is not nearly as turbulent and disruptive as the auto industry, the fact remains that this industry that thrives on disposable income and the availability of easy credit, both of which are constrained by current economic conditions.

Opportunity and Threat Analysis

The greatest opportunity for the industry today is in creating more energy-efficient, highly customizable cars that also meet the needs of car buyers who want eco-friendly engines that have very small carbon footprints (Oliver, Lee, 2010). The broader trend of mass customization, where consumers are dictating their own brands or personas by their purchases, has invaded auto marketing and car buying. To make this selling strategy effective however, the supply chains of auto manufacturers must be synchronized to build-to-order requirements. The entire value chain of the industry is going through a shift due to this requirement today.

The greatest threat to the industry is consumer...
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