CAR Manufacturing:

It is the process that is used to build a car any form of automobile. In 1903 Ford motor
company launched their model T car, and with that came a new process called mass assembly.
This assembly line process started the motor industry of today. This process was idea of
Henry Ford the founder owner of the company. In mass assembly process all the small parts
are produced separately then assembled together. In this system each labor can do his task
and dont have to think about the rest of the process, which means that labors can be
specialized in a particular task. That also saves money because highly trained craftsmen are
not required. Now days robots are used for production.

Above is a basic process chart of an auto manufacturing. This process may vary from
company to company.
Every manufacturing starts with the raw materials comes into the factory and parts making
starts. In auto manufacturing engine blocks, chassis, body they all forged separately then
assembled together later in the process .

Companys Introduction:
Mercedes- Benz is a German automobile company, which makes cars, buses, coach and
trucks. They are the multinational division of Daimler AG. Its head office is in Stuttgart
Germany. It is founded in 1926 as a merger between Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschafts and
1

Benz Patent Motorwagen. It was called Daimler-Benz at the time. The name Mercedes comes
from Gottlieb Daimlers daughters name. Throughout 1930s they produced model 770.
Today they are one of the oldest automakers in the world. Beside native Germany Mercedes
have plants in 26 countries around the world. These plants produce different models.

Product Life Cycle:

The product life cycle is defined as the period that starts with the initial product design
(research and development) and ends with the withdrawal of the product from the
marketplace. It is characterized by specific stages, including research, development,
introduction, maturity, decline, and finally obsolescence as the product is removed from the
market (discontinued). Each stage is often linked with changes in the flows of raw materials,
parts and distribution to markets as production (input costs) is adjusted to face increasing
competition.

Growth:
If the new product is successful (many are not), sales will start to grow and new comp
etitors willenter the market (by repeating the product or developing new features on th
eir own), slowlywearing away the (out of all the people who buy a product (like a
car), how many people buy it from a particular company) of the new and
interesting firm. The product starts to be exported toother markets and big efforts are
made to improve its distribution since competition mainlyhappens more on the new
and
interesting abilities of the product than on its price. This phasetends to be connected b
y high levels of (money made/good things received) and a fast diffusion
of the product.

Maturity:
At this stage, the product has been standardized, is widely available on the market and
its distribution is well established. Competition increasingly takes place over cost and
a growing share of the production is moved to low cost locations, particularly for
labor intensive parts. Associated freight flows are consequently modified to include a
greater transnational dimension. The product's features may continue to be refreshed
from time to time, and there will still be some promotion to differentiate the product
from the competition and increase market share. However, the marketing activity and
expenditure levels may be much lower than earlier on in the lifecycle.

Decline:
As the product is becoming obsolete, production essentially takes place in low costs
locations. Production and distribution economies are actively sought as profit margins
decline. Eventually, the product will be retired, an event that marks the end of its life
cycle. In this stage an important decision has to be made that when to withdraw the
product from the market permanently. It is a critical decision especially when the
product is a good seller, so it creates an emotional bonding with the company.

Product Introduction:
Mercedes SLS was first introduced in 2009 Frankfurt motor show. Then it was introduced in
Dubai motor show. The version was called Desert Gold. It was launched in US market in
mid-2011. Mercedes launched this car in all the major motor shows in the world. In 2012
Paris motors show they launched the electric version.
Initial USP of this car was their Gull Wing door that looks like a wing. Here are the
specifications of the basic model:-

Physical:

Wheelbase: 105.5 in (2,680 mm)

Length: 182.6 in (4,640 mm)

Width: 76.3 in (1,940 mm)

Height: 49.7 in (1,260 mm)

Wheels: 9.50 19 in (front), 11 20 in (rear), forged aluminum

Tires: 265/35 R 19 (front), 295/30 R 20 (rear)

Engine:
6,208 cc (378.8 cu in) V8 (M 159 E 63)
571 PS (420 kW; 563 hp)@6800, 650 Nm (479 lbfft)@4750

Transmission:
7-speed sports (AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT)

Growth of the Product:

Mercedes tried heart and soul to catch the eyes of the customers with this car. They offered
different types of function changes upon purchase, like sit colors of the customers liking or
the special design in the exterior. The aluminum bodies for the MercedesBenz SLS AMG are built by Magna Steyr unit based in Austria - Graz.
Production of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (C 197) began at Sindelfingen in January 2010.
The engines for SLS AMG GT3 "45th ANNIVERSARY" were installed by Bernd Schneider.
25 SLS AMG GT3's were built for competition with only one not racing in Europe.
Production of SLS AMG was set to end after producing SLS AMG GT FINAL EDITION in
early 2014.
As of the end of October 2014, after the time that production of the SLS AMG ended, a total
of2,
695 Mercedes SLS AMGs had been sold in the United States. This figure includes both Gull
wingsand roadsters combined.

Marketing:
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG shoes were produced with Italian (person or business that sells
clothing) Santoni.
As part of SLS AMG Coupe market launch, a print ad (started in February 2010) featured a r
edMercedes-Benz SLS AMG striking a powerful (showy way of standing/mental
attitude) on grey (black road covering) against a black background. The visual repeating
idea is supported by abrief, meaningful message, such as "Oh Lord ..." or "A cockpit. An
engine, two wings. Is it still a
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car? for example. The print ad appeared in daily newspapers and magazines. A TV advert wi
thMichael Schumacher telling the story of an experiment with SLS AMG demonstrating its te
chnicalhighlights from preparation and test phases to the realisation was produced. The TV a
d waspremiered on 30 January 2010 on all major television channels with a 60-second roadbl
ock, followed by a 45-second version in reruns until the end of March. The MercedesBenz SLS AMGweb site was extended with the addition of an interactive guided tour of the
AMG developmentplant. Also, three editions of an online magazine gave/given long/big infor
mation on theperformance ("Milliseconds"), the lightweight construction ("Milligrams") and t
he design ("Millimetres") of the SLS AMG. A reporter blog www.sls-amgreporter.de was launched featuring (based on made-up plan)
fan Matthew K. posting reports, pictures and video clips of his travelsas an SLS AMG reporte
r as he follows the worldwide launch of the new gullwing. Starting atFebruary 2010, a new iP
hone application called "SLS AMG" was launched, featuring preview ofthe car via 360 ga
meplay using the iPhone's acceleration-measuring
device. SLS AMG alsoappeared in Gran Turismo 5, scheduled for release in 2010.
Cigarette 46' Rider, a boat given great ideas
from SLS AMG and built by Cigarette Racing, was uncovered and shown
off in 2010 the Miami International Boat Show.
As part of SLS AMG Roadster launch in the UK, a video featuring David Coulthard catching
aspeeding golf ball hit by professional golfer Jake Guard/guide with Mercedes-Benz SLS AM
GRoadster was produced, and was independently (checked for truth/proved
true) by a GuinnessWorld Record judge as title of farthest golf shot caught in a moving car.
Minichamps produced a limited (197 units) edition of SLS AMG GT3 1:18 scale model car f
or theIAA. The vehicle includes 88 parts, painted in matt black and features poison green det
ails. Thevehicle was uncovered and shown off in 2013 Frankfurt International Motor Show.

Maturity of the product:

The car was sold quite a few in the world. Despite of its mixed review and handling problems
it manage to attract customers around the world. Even U.A.E police force has a few of them
as pursuit cars. Here is its sales figure in American market

Here you will find monthly and yearly Canadian and U.S. sales figures for the MercedesBenz SLS AMG. Use the dropdown at the top right of this page or at GCBC's Sales
Stats home to find sales figures for any other vehicle currently on sale in North America.

Month

Mercedes SLS AMG Mercedes SLS AMG Mercedes SLS AMG Mercedes SLS AMG Mercedes SLS AMG
U.S. Sales 2010
U.S. Sales 2011
U.S. Sales 2012
U.S. Sales 2013
U.S. Sales 2014

January

---

70

92

36

35

February

---

83

71

39

22

March

---

102

123

44

22

April

---

54

104

46

28

May

168

21

83

47

35

June

50

18

86

29

18

July

47

49

59

28

18

August

56

32

51

32

26

September

35

25

37

23

October

59

13

28

42

11

November

36

169

28

41

December

48

86

38

44

Decline:
The SLS AMG was discontinued in early 2014 after a short several year production run. It wi
ll bereplaced by a much
less expensive offering with traditional (rather than Gullwing) doors and amuch smaller but f
orced induction engine that is designed to compete against the Porsche 911and Audi R8. This
marks the end of Mercedes' amazing and
interesting 6.2 liter naturallybreathed/inhaled M159 engine. AMG head Tobias Moers said th
at engine downsizing isbecoming ever more important, and that AMG will replace the SLS w
ith "a new sports car in amore (price) (easy to get to, use, or
understand) part/section." As he put it, "There won't be an immediate (person or thing that
comes after something
else) to the SLS AMG. The SLS gave theAMG brand a special brand symbol/picture with its
famous gullwing doors and we like to treat itas something special for both the company and t
he SLS owners.

Conclusion:
A life cut too short? It's only been three years since it arrived in a haze of tyre smoke, but the
plan was always to live (very) fast, die young. And sideways.
"In general we've learned that you don't want to string out a model too long,"la Penta says,
"it should be special, exclusive. It's why we kept such a short life cycle for the SLS.Usually a
Mercedes life cycle is seven years, sometimes some of our speciality cars will live forfive yea
rs, but a car like this? Limited and It's supposed to be rare."

10

References:
1) Example Simulation Models. 2015. Example Simulation Models. [ONLINE] Available
at: http://www.uh.edu/~lcr3600/simulation/models.html. [Accessed 04 January 2015].
2) How automobile is made - production process, manufacture, making, used, parts,
components, product, industry, Raw Materials, Design, The Manufacturing Process of
automobile. 2015. How automobile is made - production process, manufacture, making, used,
parts, components, product, industry, Raw Materials, Design, The Manufacturing Process of
automobile. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.madehow.com/Volume-1/Automobile.html.
[Accessed 04 January 2015].
3) Product Life Cycle. 2015. Product Life Cycle. [ONLINE] Available
at:https://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/eng/ch5en/conc5en/productlifecycle.html. [Accessed 04
January 2015].
4) Product Life Cycle - Strategy Skills from MindTools.com. 2015. Product Life Cycle Strategy Skills from MindTools.com. [ONLINE] Available
at:http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newSTR_80.htm. [Accessed 04 January 2015].
5) Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Sales Figures - GOOD CAR BAD CAR. 2015.Mercedes-Benz
SLS AMG Sales Figures - GOOD CAR BAD CAR. [ONLINE] Available
at: http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2011/01/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-sales-figures.html.
[Accessed 04 January 2015].
6) Mercedes SLS: sold out - BBC Top Gear. 2015. Mercedes SLS: sold out - BBC Top Gear.
[ONLINE] Available at: http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/Mercedes-SLS-sold-out-201311-21. [Accessed 04 January 2015].

11

Appendix:

12

Month

Mercedes
SLS AMG
U.S. Sales
2010

Mercedes
SLS AMG
U.S. Sales
2011

Mercedes
SLS AMG
U.S. Sales
2012

Mercedes
SLS AMG
U.S. Sales
2013

Mercedes
SLS AMG
U.S. Sales
2014

January

---

70

92

36

35

February

---

83

71

39

22

March

---

102

123

44

22

April

---

54

104

46

28

May

168

21

83

47

35

June

50

18

86

29

18

July

47

49

59

28

18

August

56

32

51

32

26

September

35

25

37

23

October

59

13

28

42

11

November

36

169

28

41

December

48

86

38

44

13