Read the following six caselets carefully and for each one: (a) Indicate the stage of product life cycle that appears to best describe the current situation, taking into account the relevant market for each product. (b) Briefly explain your answer, taking into consideration such factors as profitability, number of competitors, place, promotion, and pricing. 2) Delicious Foods, which manufactures a large variety of cereals and other breakfast foods, recently introduced "Instant Nourishment." The new product was similar to other instant breakfast foods, except that it was much lower in calories. In fact, it even had far fewer calories than the popular powered diet foods. Instant Nourishment was develop especially for diabetics and those with lactose intolerance at the suggestion of doctors throughout the country. For this reason, it was expected that little advertising would be necessary to reach the target market. a) Stage of product life cycle: b) Comments: Considered a new concept for the market 3) Miller Industries, a large manufacturer of component electrical parts made with copper wire, was quite concerned about the worldwide shortage and subsequent price increases for copper. Because of higher raw material costs, Miller was forced to raise the prices of its electrical switches substantially. As a consequence, sales had declined considerably for the electrical switches, which had been Miller's most profitable product line. Customers were switching to the much cheaper aluminum electric switches made by competitors. Miller's salesman and distributors were given orders to push the product harder. a) Stage of product life cycle: b) Comments: 4) A U.S. auto company and German based auto company have formed a strategic alliance to develop and market hydrogen and electric powered driverless cars. In light of the concern for environmentally friendly vehicles and the concern that the U.S. is too dependent on foreign oil, it appears that there is a strategic window for such product. Originally, the corporations planned to charge a very high price for its new product in an effort to "skim the cream." However, a more moderate price was chosen finally in fear of consumer protests and government action. It is expected that the product will receive a significant amount of publicity. a) Stage of product life cycle: b) Comments