South Africa's automotive industry has become an increasingly important contributor to the country's gross domestic product, largely through the strong growth in the motor vehicle and component exporting sector. The South African Motor Industry is ranked 20th in the world in terms of vehicle production. It is responsible for an estimated 80% of Africa's vehicle productivity and makes 0.85% of the world's vehicles. In this study, the automotive industry in South Africa is investigated, how it was influenced during the recession which started at the end of 2008 and went through the 2009 period, what effect it had on the market as well as the influence on sales during that period. In the literature section, the 4P's of the marketing mix are explained and discussed as well as how it influences the automotive industry. The purpose of this study is to see specifically how the Klerksdorp dealerships were influenced by the recession and what decisions they had undertaken to tackle the problems that they encountered. This study also investigates what influences the marketing mix had on the different dealerships in Klerksdorp area. From the empirical study done, the conclusion is that the dealerships in Klerksdorp were struggling through the economic crisis. As far as the product was concerned, the different dealerships concentrated on the best selling lines during the recession period. Very few dealerships adjusted their prices and very few offered extras that were already included in the price. With the promotion, it was actually established that the dealerships did not actually put any extra effort in order to promote their vehicles. Four out of nine dealerships decreased their promotion expenditure, while the other five kept it at the same level. None of the dealerships has increased their promotional spending during the time of recession. Finally, the recommendations to the dealerships, as how to improve the marketing and sales through the correct use of the marketing mix, especially through the use of promotion in the Klerksdorp dealerships were made. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

South Africa's automotive industry has become an increasingly important contributor to the country's gross domestic product, largely through the strong growth in the motor vehicle and component exporting sector. The South African Motor Industry is ranked 20th in the world in terms of vehicle production. It is responsible for an estimated 80% of Africa's vehicle productivity and makes 0.85% of the world's vehicles. In this study, the automotive industry in South Africa is investigated, how it was influenced during the recession which started at the end of 2008 and went through the 2009 period, what effect it had on the market as well as the influence on sales during that period. In the literature section, the 4P's of the marketing mix are explained and discussed as well as how it influences the automotive industry. The purpose of this study is to see specifically how the Klerksdorp dealerships were influenced by the recession and what decisions they had undertaken to tackle the problems that they encountered. This study also investigates what influences the marketing mix had on the different dealerships in Klerksdorp area. From the empirical study done, the conclusion is that the dealerships in Klerksdorp were struggling through the economic crisis. As far as the product was concerned, the different dealerships concentrated on the best selling lines during the recession period. Very few dealerships adjusted their prices and very few offered extras that were already included in the price. With the promotion, it was actually established that the dealerships did not actually put any extra effort in order to promote their vehicles. Four out of nine dealerships decreased their promotion expenditure, while the other five kept it at the same level. None of the dealerships has increased their promotional spending during the time of recession. Finally, the recommendations to the dealerships, as how to improve the marketing and sales through the correct use of the marketing mix, especially through the use of promotion in the Klerksdorp dealerships were made. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Maryland, College Park, 2008. / Adviser: Matthias Ruth. Includes bibliographical references.

Marketing strategy relies heavily on segmentation and positioning. Lifestyle and psychographics are increasingly being used as a basis for market segmentation. Marketers require deeper insight into the motivational factors that encourage purchases in order to tailor make offerings to suit individual needs. The focus is on customer relationship management in order to retain customers over a longer period of time, rather than once-off sales. This study examines how using the ancient and mystical technique of the Enneagram can improve customer relationship management and formulates a model for doing so. The Enneagram can be used as an effective base for psychographic segmentation by harnessing the diagnostic and predicative power therein. It is already being used in human resource development and strategic planning by companies and it seems fitting to apply it in yet another business area that can greatly benefit from this.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Berkeley, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 155-163).

In September 1995, the South African government introduced the Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP) as a means of making the South African automotive industry a competitive orientated industry. The MIDP over the years has taken account of the international realities facing themotor industry in South Africa with major focus being placed on trade liberalisation, globalisation of markets against the background of rapid technological change, rising customer expectations and markets which were becoming increasingly demanding and fast moving in terms of global trends. But has the core intention of the MIDP, which was to create an internationally competitive, export industry, been lost? The research proposition that the MIDP has lost a bit of ground with regards to focusing on an export-orientated industry is examined in this dissertation. In this respect, the South African automotive industry, with regards to vehicle and component sales both export and imported, industry growth trends, and the point of view from people working within the South African automotive industry, will be analysed to determine the extent to which the MIDP has lost ground on its original intention. The results show that the MIDP has had positive spin offs with regards to vehicle exports since its induction in 1995. The results also show that, due to the MIDP, the South African automotive industry has seen a substantial growth in volumes of imported vehicles and components into the industry and how the increase in imported vehicles and components has affected the domestic market and local content. Anticipation of the findings of the study shows that the notion of higher tariffs or restrictions on imported vehicles and components could improve the local content levels in locally manufactured export and domestic vehicles. Recommendations have been made in this regard. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2009.

Thesis (M.B.A. (Investec Business School))--Rhodes University, 2005. / "A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Business Administration" -T.p.

The intention of this dissertation is to attempt to project the theoretical concept of Corporate (or Long-Range) Planning into the reality of one of South Africa's major motor vehicle manufacturing company's task environment. It is a sad fact that there are no universally - applicable practical planning "laws" (as are present within the discipline of, say, Physics) amidst the ever-changing hurly-burly world of modern commerce and industry. Accordingly, there are very real distinctions between distilled Corporate Planning theory, as it is propounded in the many available books and articles, and Corporate Planning practice as actually implemented. This is true largely by virtue of the fact that in the same way as persons differ in their physical and mental make-up, so too do individual companies; even to the extent of acquiring a distinct corporate "personality" of their own. Terms of reference, p. 1.

This master thesis analyses the Volkswagen assembly lines of the Golf A5 manufacture in the mother plant in Wolfsburg, the Touran manufacture in the Auto 5000 GmbH in Wolfsburg as well as the Golf A5 manufacture in Uitenhage in South Africa - all with regard to the level of automation. The target of the analysis is the determination of the optimal level of automation in the three production sites and therefore, the investigation of the potential to automate, or rather to deautomate in particular sections of the assembly in the prevailing production locations. The three production sites are to be investigated with regard to costs, quality and quantity.

M.Com. (Economics) / Please refer to full text to view abstract