Learning objective

A SWOT is an important tool used for market analysis and competitive evaluation. This assignment gives the student an opportunity to practice writing a SWOT analysis on a well known company in a very competitive market.

Instructions

Perform a SWOT analysis on Ford Motor Company. Identify:

• a Strength
• a Weakness
• an Opportunity
• a Threat.

In 250 words or more, explain why each of these is a strength, a weakness, an opportunity, or a threat. Support your conclusions with relevant facts and arguments.

 

Use the following rubric/instructions for the answer:

Development of Idea: Response accurately and insightfully identifies and explains a Strength of the Ford Motor Company. Effective responses will vary, but many will mention Ford's market share, brand history, brand recognition, financial resources, and extensive infrastructure/supply chain. Especially strong responses may mention positive press stemming from not taking bailout money during the financial crisis. AND Response accurately and insightfully identifies and explains a Weakness of the Ford Motor Company. Effective responses will vary, but many will mention perceptions of quality, slowness in adaptation, and high labor costs. AND Response accurately and insightfully identifies and explains an Opportunity for the Ford Motor Company. Effective responses will vary, but many will mention international markets, hybrid/electric products, and more fuel-efficient vehicles. AND Response accurately and insightfully identifies and explains a Threat to the Ford Motor Company. Effective responses will vary, but many will mention aggressive competitors, new competitors from developing markets such as China and India, high fuel costs, and vulnerability to changing economic conditions.

 

Organization: A skillful organizational plan is evident and effectively serves to highlight important ideas throughout the response. •Organization is clear and appropriate for the task. •Organization is effective and enhances understanding of the response. Response demonstrates an effective and consistent grouping of information.

 

Conventions: Response does not contain a significant number of errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or word choice. Errors do not interfere with the reader's understanding. Response demonstrates variety in sentence structure. Demonstrates sophistication and skill with a wide variety of conventions.

 

Voice: Tone is appropriately sincere and engaging. Response demonstrates clear awareness of the response's audience. Response provides a strong sense of the writer through his/her descriptive and figurative language.

 

Focus & Coherence: Through a combination of logic and examples response persuasively supports its conclusions. Arguments are logically sound. Examples cited are relevant and effectively support the author's point of view. Conclusions are clear and precise. The explanation of why something is a strength, weakness, opportunity or a threat, is clearly presented and insightful.