Question

CASE STUDY British car maker MG has confirmed the launch of a new affordable Electric Vehicle (EV) in India in the first half of 2023. The brand also revealed that this newly developed EV will come with an affordable price tag of around Rs 7-8 lakh. Although the firm has not yet disclosed the details of the EV's body style, this new pure-electric offering will most probably compete against the Tata Nexon EV. Besides this the MG's upcoming EV will utilise a new platform and could offer a sub-300 km of travel range on a single charge. MG Motor has also announced that it will invest in nurturing young talents through its initiatives like the MG Nurture program. The carmaker plans to collaborate with 50 institutes through the program to train one lakh students on the latest technologies regarding EVs. Electric cars produce zero exhaust emissions, which means they do not emit any harmful exhaust gases into the air. This can benefit the environment as exhaust gases can negatively impact various health conditions and also have an impact on climate change. EVs are more efficient, and that combined with the electricity cost is cheaper than filling petrol or diesel for your travel requirements. Using renewable energy sources can make the use of EVs more eco-friendly They mainly reduce noise levels which are hazardous to human health.

With reference to the case study answer the following questions:

1. In which stage of product life cycle can Electric Vehicles be placed? Explain this stage briefly.
2. Which type of training can be undertaken by MG Motors to train its employees? Briefly explain.
3. Explain the effects of pollution on human health.

Answer 1

1. Electric vehicles are at the growing phase of their product life cycle.
   Rising Sales, market acceptance, and increased customer interest define the growth stage. MG Motors' development of a cheap EV in India, competing with Tata Nexon, suggests an increasing demand for electric vehicles. MG Motors' investment in training programmes and collaborations to develop talent and educate students on EV technologies supports the company's growth strategy. During this stage, companies focus on increasing manufacturing capacity, boosting product features, and improving the customer experience. They use marketing and promotion to raise awareness and demand. Corporations may create new models and variants to meet diverse client needs and preferences as rivalry grows. Based on the facts supplied, electric vehicles can be classified as in the growth stage of their product life cycle.
2. MG Motors can provide refresher training to its employees. Refresher training updates and refreshes employees' knowledge and abilities related to their tasks and responsibilities. This training is beneficial for individuals who have previously undergone initial training but need to stay up-to-date with technological improvements and procedure modifications. To keep current with the fast expanding EV technological landscape, MG Motors staff in many departments, including R&D, manufacturing, sales, and after-sales support, require refresher training. This training could address battery technology breakthroughs, electric drivetrain updates, charging infrastructure changes, and EV-specific maintenance and repair methods.
3. Pollution can have several detrimental effects on human health, including respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and adverse impacts on overall well-being.
   1. Respiratory Problems: Air pollution, especially from vehicle emissions and industrial pollutants, can aggravate respiratory disorders like asthma, bronchitis, and (COPD). Vehicle emissions of delicate particulate matter (PM 2.5) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x) can infiltrate the lungs, leading to inflammation, impaired lung function, and respiratory illnesses.
   2. Cardiovascular Diseases: Air pollution has been related to a higher risk of cardiovascular disorders, including heart attacks, strokes and hypertension. Pollutants like ozone (O₃) and carbon monoxide (CO) can harm cardiovascular function, raise blood pressure, and cause blood clots, leading to complications.
   3. Overall Well-Being: Pollution can harm mental health, causing tension, worry, and sadness. Noise pollution from traffic and industrial operations can interrupt sleep patterns, cause stress, and lead to weariness and cognitive impairment.
   4. Long-term Health Effects: Long-term exposure to pollution can lead to a shortened life expectancy and increased mortality rates from respiratory and cardiovascular disorders. Pollution poses a higher risk to the health of children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing diseases.