Concepts to be tested: Supply Chain strategy A global auto manufacturer An upcoming auto manufacturer with significant growth in the global sales in recent years has to decide on its production and distribution network. They can have plants distributed globally for local markets or centralise production with few plants. They must also decide production capability of each plant and how it impacts the distribution system local and/ or global, considering labour skills, finished goods transportation. Also, decisions are to be taken on whether parts should be centralised or localised. While the mother plant is in Asia, they already have a small presence in other locations induding Europe and the Americas. Common parts and subsystems are also under serious consideration. Answer the following questions based on the above case. State your assumptions. 1. Give your opinion on the demand faced by this company on implied demand uncertainty spectrum and why so. 2. If you are the advisor, where would you suggest the plants to be located and what capacities? What would be the degree of flexibility? Discuss your logic briefly. 3. Comment on the responsiveness for your proposal for the supply chain and its strengths and weaknesses. 4. How do you propose to expand the scope of strategic fit across its supply chain? 5. Do you advise the plants to be able to produce for all markets or only for specific markets? What is your advice on market allocation? Is it fixed or to be revised from time to time? Give your reasons for each