Environmental Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Environmental Analysis - Essay Example The Company has been appearing as the sales leader among global automakers in China over the last four years. In 2008, the estimated market shares of the GM in China were 12.1percent of the total GM Sales (GMChina). In this report, the environment analysis of GM China has been done. Through PESTLE analysis, Porter’s Five Forces Analysis, SWOT Analysis and other theoretical models, the current situation of GM in China has been analysed. External Analysis PESTLE Analysis Political Two factors are contributing to the growth and development of automobile industry of China: first, the suitable domestic policies and market openings: second, supply of vehicles and parts throughout the country in the logistic and commercial aspects (Kamiya & Ramirez, 2004). Chinese government authorities including local and central government do not only issue the automobile industry development plans but they are also involved in the operations of the companies to maintain such developments (Bungsche , 2007). Government of China has eliminated most of the fixed fees imposed on vehicles such as road maintenance fees of around $210 per year (Brogan, 2009). In 2010, Chinese government has introduced policies that could support new-energy auto industry. In the new policy, government is paying a subsidiary of up to 50,000 Yuan to any individual who buys a hybrid vehicle and 60,000 Yuan to any individual who buys battery electric vehicle or all-electric vehicle (Xinhua, 2010). The Chinese government is planning to pursue a new policy which could encourage industry consolidation thereby, promoting the development of Chinese-brand passenger cars and it has been estimated that by 2015 domestic sedans will be 40% of nation’s car market (Chinacartimes, 2010). This example shows that Chinese government aims to promote domestic car industry. Chinese government has imposed 10% sales tax on small cars which is effective from Januray 1, 2011. Analysts argue that small cars comprise of 60 percent of all passengers cars in China therefore, this policy of government will stop the growth of small cars thereby, increasing the demand of foreign companies especially the U.S. companies which have comparative advantage in manufacturing large cars (Hsu, 2010). The government inclination towards local companies is also evident from subsidies in China. According to an auto analyst, Zhang Zhiyong, the subsidies in China only promote local protection and they do not consider the model lines and technological improvements brought by foreign companies. Zhang Zhiyong argues that Chinese government should use subsidies to promote domestic automobiles which do not always mean foreign or local companies, rather it includes the companies which have significant ties with the city (Chinaenvironmentallaw, 2010). Economic Gross domestic product (GDP) has increased from 7.6 percent year-of-year in 1999 to 11.9 percent on 2007 (World Bank, 2008). In 2010, the GDP has grown by 10 percent (Chi natoday, 2011). Consumer price index (CPI) has increased from 98.6 percent year-of-year in 1999 to 104.8 percent in 2007 (World Bank

Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Culture - Essay Example Observing the night skies could have also been used by the ancient Chinese as a guide like how travellers depend on the North Star. Earliest records of stars were found carved on bones and shells. One very significant record made by ancient Chinese astronomers was that of a solar eclipse in 2136 BC, the first human record of a solar eclipse in the world found encrypted on a bone. In 2006, a stone carving of what is believed to be the Big Dipper was found by Wu Jiaca in Inner Mongolia and is predicted to have been carved in 4000 BC. The position of the carving was on the north side of the stone, pointing to the direction of the said constellation. Carvings and maps of the stars by ancient Chinese astronomers were found by some European at Dunhuang, a major resting place before travelling into the western deserts. It was speculated that the maps were used by the travellers to guide them along the Silk Road. The maps dated to 700 AD and contain 1,350 stars arranged in the manner on how one sees the horizon. The oldest star map known in Chinese history dates back to the Warring States Period (403-211 BC). It was made by Shi Shen and was already been missing. Other maps were at the Ancient Beijing Observatory and the International Dunhuang Project of the British Library. The long years of watching the moon, stars and the sun by the ancient Chinese astronomers led to the birth of the Chinese calendar. Observation of the sun, the moon and the stars is very important in predicting the reoccurrence of an event. The first Chinese calendar was said to be lunisolar or based on both the lunar and the solar cycles. The Huangdi Li, Zhuanxu Li, Xia Li, Yin Li, Zhou Li, and Lu Li were some of the earliest formal calendars accepted. There was an estimated 102 Chinese calendars that have been developed and revised from the Xia dynasty (2070-1600 BC) to the Qing Dynasty (1645-1911) until finally the Chinese