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Diversification Strategy

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Assignment 2: Diversification Strategy The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast two companies; One successful and one unsuccessful. The two companies chosen for this purpose is General Motors (unsuccessful) and Toyota Motor Corporation (successful). The content of this paper will analyze, compare and contrast the outcomes, and recommend actions that General Motors could have made to make their diversification venture more successful. The analysis will include the company’s core business, the size of the companies, and the 2009 financial statements of the companies, the company’s global presence, and their use of e-business. The analysis will also contain the primary reason for the different outcomes.
History of General Motors General Motors was founded by William Durant on September 16, 1908, in Flint Michigan. GM’s core business is making and selling automobiles. At the beginning, General Motors designed automobiles for the Buick Motor Company, but in a short amount of time General Motors acquired more than 20 companies. These companies include Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and Pontiac, to name a few. General Motors went through many phases of development from 1910-1929. General Motors new design over Ford’s Model T design set the pace for production, design, and the marketing innovation of vehicles. General Motor’s first diversification took place when it added Chevrolet, Vauxhall, and Opel. General Motors used its philosophy and strategy for marketing by stating “A car for every purse and purpose” (General Motors, 2011). Today General Motors is one of the largest automakers in the world. GM’s global headquarters is in Detroit, Michigan, and General Motors employs 209,000 people across the world. General Motors does business in 120 countries also. General Motors produces vehicles in 31 countries, and sells and services vehicles through

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