Final Forecast

Poster Template 2009 - FINAL

2012 Alfa Romeo Forecast

Poster Template 2009

Interior Forecast 2012

• Customization is key in up and coming vehicles. Ambient lighting, such as the new Ford Flex's, creates an intimate and personable feeling for the driver.

• The Bio Foam product is made of twenty-five percent bio-based materials (such as soy beans) creating an eco-friendly foam seat.

• The lane Change Warning system would identify the traffic in the adjacent lane, allowing the driver to successfully merge into the next lane.

• The Real Time Navigation system would function like the GPS or navigation system in today's cars but by integrating real-time data the driver can see whether there is upcoming traffic or road construction.

• Using new innovations such as Light Altitudes seats would allow for less fuel consumption by taking away from the vehicle's mass.

• Electric Window Tinting such as Maybach mooroof can change from transparent to opaque with the touch of a button allowing the driver to choose their preferred interior lighting

Sources:
http://www.plastemart.com/upload/Literature/Bio-fabric-based-PLA-automotive-interiors.asp?LiteratureID=1119
http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=innovations&story=futureInns
http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=innovations&story=futureInns
http://www.mobile-tex.com/trends.html

Exteriors Forecast 2012

• To appeal to environmentally conscious customers, auto glass and paint that reflects solar heat should be made available as this causes car interiors to heat up less. This will not only reduce car emissions but cause cars to run more efficiently. A car running with the air conditioning off will be 20% more efficient then a car with the air conditioning on.

• Self-repairing paint that will automatically fill in light scratches on the exterior of the vehicle is a feature that can save time and prevent stress.

• Another highly desired car exterior feature includes high-intensity-discharge headlights, also known as HID headlights. HID headlights burn brighter and provide better visibility than a halogen bulb.

Sources:
"More ways to cut car emissions: reflective glass and paint", TerraPass.com - April 14, 2009

"The Most Desirable New Car Features", MSNBC

The End of the Recession is Here!

According to the Arizona Star and the New York Times, during 2009’s 3rd quarter GDP has risen 3.5% which signals an end to the recession. From this point on we anticipate a rise in the economy and though this recovery is expected to be slow, a recovery CAN be looked forward to. The end of the recession in 1982 was met with pessimism that the economy would never be the same and instead the American economy grew by 6% annually (first three paragraphs of this article from the New York Times, dated November 3, 2009) and though we can't expect such a phenomenal growth rate, we should be able to soon see a rise in the economy, slowly but surely.

Will Consumers Be Spending Come 2012?

We feel confident that consumers will be financially optimistic come 2012 because as of the third quarter of 2009 the recession appears to be over and the Consumer Confidence Index is already turning up. Plus, to put it bluntly, Americans are greedy. We want, want, want and so as soon as we have the stability to give into our desires, we will buy, buy, buy. As John Cloud, author of "Recession Psychology: We Will Spend Again" from the Times - April 2009 states "...Americans with money are the kids in the global candy store; they want everything and they buy everything...and..after periods of self-denial and self-control, we want to give in to our base desires." More or less as soon as we can afford it, and with the end of the recession that appears to be sooner rather than later, Americans will begin to spend once more.

































Sources:
"Recession Psychology: We Will Spend Again", Time Magazine - April 15, 2009
Consumer Confidence Index - Market Harmonics

Why Make A Forecast for Vehicles? Why Alfa Romeo?

In the past couple of years with the recession, Americans have been more frugal with their transportation expenditures both in buying and driving cars because of the continual increase in automotive prices as well as an increase in the price of petrol. Now that the recession is over, we expect that people will finally want to splurge and give into their wants, the things they have been denying themselves. This includes vehicles and not just any but particularly small vehicles such as Alfa Romeos. In fact, it is predicted that by 2013 the sales of smaller vehicles will rise to 36% of all automotive sales compared to only 21% in 2002.


So, why Alfa Romeo?
Italian auto company, Fiat, has recently obtained 20% of the failing Chrysler company. In attempts to save Chrysler from failure Fiat is bringing several of their European cars to the United States, including Alfa Romeo. In order for Alfa Romeo cars to be successful and save Chrysler in the U.S., their European styling and features need to be changed and adapted to meet the needs and wants of the American consumer.


Sources:
"Fiat Deal with Chrysler Seals Swift 42-Day Overhaul", The New York Times - June 10, 2009

"Small Vehicles Will Be Largest part of U.S. Market by 2013, Ford Says", GreenCarReports.com - November 18, 2009

"Consumer Wants and Needs: Understanding How Consumers Wants and Needs are Impacted by Current Economic Conditions" International Automotive Components - May 2009