The market-entry strategy of a highly innovative product, such as an electric in-wheel drive for light electric vehicle applications, is best supported with a profound knowledge of these emerging markets. The focus of this article lies on the market analysis respectively the market forecast. The electric scooter market in Western Europe is chosen in a case study to illustrate the use of a proposed methodology to forecast scenarios for sales growth rates and sales volumes. The suggested approach is one element of an overall assessment of the global market for electric light vehicles, which also includes definition of client and user profiles, the identification of competing powertrain technologies to the evaluation of current and potential sales channels and structures. Together, these elements will serve as a basis for developing a comprehensive marketing and commercialization strategy for a small organization that develops innovative electric in-wheel motors

The paper describes the implementation of state-of-the-art “Industry 4.0” methods and tools, a holistic ship design optimization and modular production methods, as well as advanced battery technologies to enable a fully electrical, fast zero-emission waterborne urban transport. The design of a fast catamaran passenger ferry demonstrator planned for operation as a waterborne shuttle in the Stavanger/Norway area and of a replicator for operation at Thames River/London are elaborated, including infrastructural issues for their operation. The presented research is in the frame of the H2020 funded project “TrAM – Transport: Advanced and Modular” (www.tramproject.eu)

The electrification of the powertrain brings new challenges to manufacturers: OEMs as well as suppliers within the entire automotive value chain have to deal with a variety of new electric powertrains and their components. Besides new requirements on production technologies, quality aspects as well as recruiting and training of employees with the necessary set of new skills, organizations have to cope with the unpredictability of market development and political interests. With the use of a scenario-based model the article discusses the effects which occur at factory level with a focus on production processes regarding personnel and technical issues

Kurzfassung Die Elektrifizierung, Automatisierung und Ver netzung von Fahrzeugen bietet Zulieferern vielfältige Möglichkeiten, ihr vorhandenes Produktportfolio vertikal und horizontal zu erweitern und sich auf diese Weise Marktanteile in den zukünftigen Wachstumsbereichen zu sichern. Aufgrund ih rer vergleichsweise flexiblen Strukturen eignen sich besonders KMU dafür, diese neuen Ge schäftsfelder zu erschließen. Ihre Erfolgschancen hängen jedoch weit gehend davon ab, ob sie die neuen Anforderungen frühzeitig erkennen und ihr vorhandenes Know-how zielgerichtet hierauf anwenden. Dieser Beitrag widmet sich daher der Beschreibung der Implikationen der drei Technologietrends auf das Fahrzeug und die Marktakteure sowie dem Aufzeigen von Handlungsempfehlungen für KMU zur Ausschöp fung der neuen Geschäftspotenziale.

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