BMW and Rover
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This 3 page paper outlines the acquisition of Rover by BMW, why they made the acquisition and why it went wrong. The paper starts by considering the position of BMW within the automotive market, explains why the acquisition offered so many opportunities, why they were not realised and the strategy that BMW followed after accepting this failure.
Filename: TEBMWrover.rtf

BMW and Strategy
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This 8 page paper examines BMW and its' strategy. The paper answers four questions, looking at the drivers for BMW in the year 2000 and later, the core competences of the company, the how the concepts of competitive advantage through differentiation and cost advantage apply to BMW and the role of traditional strategic planning at BMW. The bibliography cites 3 sources.
Filename: TEBMWques.rtf

BMW Auto Group
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A 5 page paper with three parts. The first section provides a brief history of the company, including products and 2004 sales figures. The second section reports an article written about the company that focuses on the need to downmarket and the third section comments on social responsibility and corporate goals. Bibliography lists 7 sources.
Filename: PGbmw.rtf

BMW Leadership
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This 14 page paper examines the leadership styles seen at BMW showing how the company use the human relations school of management and democratic leadership styles. This is illustrated with examples. The company is then compared with Ford, where it is argued there is a more scientific management approach and an autocratic style of leadership. The bibliography cites 13 sources.
Filename: TEBMWlead1.rtf

BMW SWOT Analysis
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This 4 page paper is a SWOT analysis of BMW, examining the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The paper looks at the position after the sale of the Rover group and is based on a case study supplied by the student.
Filename: TEBMWSWOT.rtf

BMW's Position in the Changing Auto Industry
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A 32 page paper discussing changes in the global auto industry and how BMW has both affected those changes and been affected by them. The continued slow demise of Detroit's auto industry and the growth of "transplant" factories of "foreign" cars in the American South has contributed to an emerging shift in the global industry. BMW has been a part of that shift: its South Carolina facility is the only site of manufacture for its SUVs, most of which are sold in the US but also are sold in other parts of the world. BMW has made some missteps in recent years, but apparently none as large as its primary competitor, Mercedes. As Mercedes strives to catch up, BMW continues winning market share. The paper discusses the issues in terms of Porter's Five Forces, strategic group mapping, identification of current and future trends. Includes 3 charts and one table. Bibliography lists 17 sources.
Filename: KSbmw2002.rtf

BMW’s Changing Strategy
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A 4 page paper discussing the shift in BMW’s strategy since 2000. There are several constants that apply to Bavarian Motor Works – BMW – whether in Germany, the United States, Mexico, Thailand or anywhere else. One of those constants is the superiority of German engineering and the result of that engineering personified in every BMW regardless of style or price. Another is the company’s dedication to operating in the premium sector of every class of vehicle it makes. Whether a 4-door sedan, a convertible, a little 3-series or the giant 7-series, BMW seeks to overtake all leaders of the specialty, premium market. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Filename: KSstratBMW.rtf

BMW’s Fork in the Road
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An 8 page memo written to Karl Gerlinger, president of BMW North America, dated December 31, 1992 (before BMW established manufacturing operations in the US). The memo is based on Harvard case #9-593-082, set at the end of 1992 when BMW’s management was seeking a method of achieving its goal of selling 100,000 BMWs in the United States annually. In 1992, that figure was 66,000. The memo suggests that BMW build a manufacturing facility in the US, proceeding to outline the benefits of such a decision, which include lower fixed and variable costs than possible to attain in Germany, as well as opportunity to avoid US import tariffs on foreign cars. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Filename: KSbmwNoAmerica.rtf