Using the methodology illustrated in Table 4.4 and your knowledge and interest in Luxury cars, as well as an internet search about the industry, prepare a competitive strength assessment for Cadillac and its rivals Lincoln, Lexus, BMW, and Volvo. Each of the five automobile manufacturers should be evaluated on the key success factors and strength measures of product design and style, high technology features, product quality and reliability, financial resources and profitability, and customer service. What does your competitive strength assessment disclose about the overall competitiveness of each automobile manufacturer? What factors account most for Lexuss competitive success? Does Lexus have competitive weaknesses that were disclosed by your analysis? Explain.

Source: Based in part on the single-industry value chain displayed in Michael E. Porter, Competitive Advontoge (New York: Free Press, 1985), p. 35