Discussion Questions 4
Q1.
The five countries that Maine exports most to are Canada, Germany, China, Malaysia and Japan.
I was surprised with Malaysia and Germany. I think Canada is a very important relationship to have in terms of exporting, since it is a border country.
Q2. Zip Code Look Up
I know as a whole Maine is an old state, and the median age is 43.5 making us the state with the oldest median age in the nation. However, I didn't believe the older population would hold three segments.
The first was Country Squires, wealthy middle aged families. The second was Big Fish Small Pond, this upscale mature without kids. Third was Fast Track Families which is upscale middle age families. Forth is Traditional Times is Upper Mid Mature, without kids and last was Crossroad Villagers Downscale Mature without kids. Making Kennebunk a mostly maturing community with out children in the home.
I suppose, I shouldn't be surprised in my neighborhood alone, half of the houses are owned by retired individuals, or those that are soon to retire. The other homes contain families that have children, ranging in age from 6 to 25.
3. Selling Cars to Chinese and Japanese Customers.
Q3
If I worked for GM, I would try to increase into China in a joint venture, with a local company/firm. I wouldn't try to work into Japan due to view of American cars, it would be to costly.
Q4 & Q5
Drivers in each country/region are looking for something different when purchasing a car.
They may go through some factors in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, physiological, safety, love etc. However, buyers may also base their decision on their culture, what does that particular culture value in a vehicle. What are infrastructure needs on narrow, busy streets a giant SUV wont work, but a small compact car would be perfect. In Japan, they want a fuel efficient low maintenance, safe vehicle. Unfortunately they believe American made cars, are gas guzzlers that break down and constantly need maintenance. They have formed an opinion on US brands and it seems to be sticking, based on the number of US cars sold in Japan. Using this information it wouldn't be very cost affective for an American car company to try to break into that market. There is also the Lifestyle and social status factor, what would people think if they bought an an American car! Does this car say I'm rich, poor, intelligent, old, young etc. Take for example in the US Buick is considered a car Grandpa drives, but in China Buick sales are increasing and is considered a luxury car. Therefore understanding another country's culture is crucial to market and sell successfully.
Q6
BMW
They successfully targeted China's rising young entrepreneurs with flashy gadgets and all kinds of bells and whistles. But it may have been too much and may have led to distracted drivers that caused serious and even fatal accidents. They could take the approach that many car makers have had to take in the US, focus on hands free, using voice commands, safety features such as back up cameras, sensors surrounding the car such as BLIS, braking or a warning if it senses a possible head on collision, All while keeping it sleek, elegant and desirable.
Sources
http://specialprojects.pressherald.com/aging/the-demographics-of-maine/
The five countries that Maine exports most to are Canada, Germany, China, Malaysia and Japan.
I was surprised with Malaysia and Germany. I think Canada is a very important relationship to have in terms of exporting, since it is a border country.
Q2. Zip Code Look Up
I know as a whole Maine is an old state, and the median age is 43.5 making us the state with the oldest median age in the nation. However, I didn't believe the older population would hold three segments.
The first was Country Squires, wealthy middle aged families. The second was Big Fish Small Pond, this upscale mature without kids. Third was Fast Track Families which is upscale middle age families. Forth is Traditional Times is Upper Mid Mature, without kids and last was Crossroad Villagers Downscale Mature without kids. Making Kennebunk a mostly maturing community with out children in the home.
I suppose, I shouldn't be surprised in my neighborhood alone, half of the houses are owned by retired individuals, or those that are soon to retire. The other homes contain families that have children, ranging in age from 6 to 25.
3. Selling Cars to Chinese and Japanese Customers.
Q3
If I worked for GM, I would try to increase into China in a joint venture, with a local company/firm. I wouldn't try to work into Japan due to view of American cars, it would be to costly.
Q4 & Q5
Drivers in each country/region are looking for something different when purchasing a car.
They may go through some factors in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, physiological, safety, love etc. However, buyers may also base their decision on their culture, what does that particular culture value in a vehicle. What are infrastructure needs on narrow, busy streets a giant SUV wont work, but a small compact car would be perfect. In Japan, they want a fuel efficient low maintenance, safe vehicle. Unfortunately they believe American made cars, are gas guzzlers that break down and constantly need maintenance. They have formed an opinion on US brands and it seems to be sticking, based on the number of US cars sold in Japan. Using this information it wouldn't be very cost affective for an American car company to try to break into that market. There is also the Lifestyle and social status factor, what would people think if they bought an an American car! Does this car say I'm rich, poor, intelligent, old, young etc. Take for example in the US Buick is considered a car Grandpa drives, but in China Buick sales are increasing and is considered a luxury car. Therefore understanding another country's culture is crucial to market and sell successfully.
Q6
BMW
They successfully targeted China's rising young entrepreneurs with flashy gadgets and all kinds of bells and whistles. But it may have been too much and may have led to distracted drivers that caused serious and even fatal accidents. They could take the approach that many car makers have had to take in the US, focus on hands free, using voice commands, safety features such as back up cameras, sensors surrounding the car such as BLIS, braking or a warning if it senses a possible head on collision, All while keeping it sleek, elegant and desirable.
Sources
http://specialprojects.pressherald.com/aging/the-demographics-of-maine/
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