You are to develop the fundamentals of strategic plans for the Ford Motor Company and the Toyota Motor Corporation, two giants of the automobile industry. You are to develop SWOT analyses and propose strategies for the two multinational enterprises. In doing so, it will be necessary to research, analyze, and compare both firms to understand better their current position and future plans to increase competitive advantage. Common problems facing each auto giant today are the current economy; the competition of the other auto firms; and the demand for a lower cost, more ecologically friendly, alternative fuel vehicle. Your research should include the following issues for both firms. Present your data in the form of a comparative table.

Issues:

Legal, Social and Economic Environments
Management Structure
Operational & Financial Issues
Analysis of Strategic Intent
Social and External Challenges
Current Manufacturing
Facilities & Distribution System
Market Demand & Demographics
Alternative Fuels & Propulsion Systems
Your document must evaluate, compare and contrast Ford's and Toyota's current position on these issues.

Respond to the following:

Take the perspective of Ford's Director of Strategic Planning to develop a full SWOT analysis of Ford, identifying and explaining at least five factors for each category (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) and propose a complete strategy (implementation, ramification and evaluation) which addresses one of Ford's weaknesses and what you would do about it.

Take the perspective of Toyota's Director of Strategic Planning to develop a full SWOT analysis of Toyota, identifying and explaining at least five factors for each category (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) and propose a complete strategy (implementation, ramification and evaluation) which addresses one of Toyota's weaknesses and what you would do about it.

Issues:
Economic Environments: Micro and Macro
- Management Structure
- Operational & Financial Issues
- Analysis of Strategic Intent
- Some External Challenges: socio-cultural; Political legal; technology
- Current Manufacturing
- Facilities & Distribution System
- Market Demand & Demographics
- Alternative Fuels & Propulsion Systems

Create a SWOT table for Ford

Strengths ( 5 factors)
Weakness ( 5 factors)
Opportunities (5 factors)
Threats ( 5 factors)

Choose one 1 weakness (no fuel vehicle issues) of Ford and propose a strategy (implementation - ramifications - Measurement and feedback) - 3 paragraphs will do it. use 1 paragraph but underline words such as weakness, recommendation, ramification, feedback measures

Create a SWOT table for Toyota

Strengths ( 5 factors)
Weakness ( 5 factors)
Opportunities (5 factors)
Threats ( 5 factors)

Choose one 1 weakness (no fuel vehicle issues) of Toyota and propose a strategy (implementation - ramifications - Measurement and feedback) 3 paragraphs will do it.
use 1 paragraph but underline words such as weakness, recommendation, ramification, feedback measures