6A Identifying Opportunities in Economic and Regulatory Trends

Economic: Mercedes-Benz will spend $1 billion to upgrade its production capabilities in Alabama and jump start its electric vehicle program in the U.S.

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2017/09/22/news/economy/mercedes-alabama-billion-investment-jobs/index.html

An opportunity exists to create electric cars in the United States to satisfy increasing demands.

The customers of this opportunity would be people demanding electric and eco-friendly cars in the United States.

This opportunity is relatively easy to achieve because Mercedes already has electric vehicle locations in other countries. They are just expanding these electric production locations to the United States.

Economic: Apple’s iPhone X: Face ID, no home button, $999

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2017/09/12/technology/gadgets/apple-iphone-event/index.html

An opportunity exists to create the most innovative smart phone with face identification to satisfy the demand of a more technologically advanced phone.

The prototypical customers of this opportunity are probably adolescents and adults who want the latest smart phone with all of its benefits.

This opportunity is relatively difficult to achieve because there is a lot of competition in the smart phone market.

Regulatory: London wants to boot Uber, which will keep running as it fights move

Link: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2017/09/22/regulators-strip-uber-london-operating-license-transport-london-says-wont-renew-license-uber-operate/692175001/

An opportunity exists for other car companies such as Lyft and cabs in London to capitalize on Uber’s license loss in London.  

The prototypical customers of this opportunity will be tourists and London residents who are not satisfied with using Uber.

This opportunity will be relatively easy to implement once Uber is completely banned from operating in London.

Regulatory: Former Apple Engineers Working on New Eyes for Driverless Cars

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/20/technology/former-apple-engineers-driverless-cars.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=34&pgtype=sectionfront

An opportunity exists to create a device that will help to self-drive vehicles.

The prototypical customers would be Americans who desire the most innovative cars and people who are deemed unfit to drive can use this self-driven car.

This opportunity will be extremely difficult to produce because it requires the creation of a sensor that will drive a car by itself.