WM998-15 Automotive Research, Strategy & Environment Coursework Brief 2026-27 | Warwick

WM998-15 Automotive Research, Strategy & Environment Coursework Brief 

Coursework Brief

Assignment: Automotive Research Strategy & Environment.

Evaluate the strategies employed by Automotive companies in responding to environmental issues within the automotive sector

Present a critical evaluation of the company you investigated in Week 1 of the module. Your analysis should consider how the company responds to customer, legislative, and economic demands associated with sustainability. 

• You are to investigate further the company allocated to you during week 1 of the Module. follow the key themes of the module: Environment & Motivations, Legislation &Solutions, Strategy, Corporate Structures & Operations, Research & Competitive Trends
• Evaluate the key motivations that influence new product strategy as it pertains to Sustainability and Electrification.
• Evaluate how Sustainability/Environmental legislation has impacted the company's strategy
• Evaluate key strategies employed by the company to create new products whilst adhering to customer, legal and sustainability objectives 

As a starting point to your investigation, you may use the University of Warwick’s database, accessed via Industry, Market Research & Standards - Warwick Business School - LibGuides at University of Warwick. Here you will find reports for a variety of different industries and firms, which give an overview of information on a variety of companies. NB. This is only a starting point, but do not limit your investigation to this source, as higher marks are available from further review of appropriate sources.

A Typical submission should include (but is not limited to) 

• Outline and review of the wider motivations, and also current/future legislative framework for passenger vehicles (e.g. EU, US, China, etc) influencing product development
• Description and evaluation of how customer pressure, lobbying, regulation and corporate policy could influence OEM product plans
• Historical factors such as brand, primary market/customer, legacy architectures and/or technology preference, research and development capability should be considered
• Highlight the technologies and strategies employed by the respective companies, and those planned
• Observation and critique of that strategy and its success for the company, product, and environment. (100 Marks Total)

Additional Details 

Your assignment must be written in a technical/academic style and should draw on a variety of high-quality references to demonstrate learning beyond the taught material. Appropriate academic literature for this assignment includes SAE and IEEE journals, which can be accessed online through Warwick University library, along with (but not limited to) ICCT, and European Commission documents (eg, https://ec.europa.eu/info/energy-climate-change-environment_en ) and company annual reports.

Assignments that only utilise web materials, taught session notes, and unreferenced evidence will be awarded low marks for comprehension and effort.

You must present your submission at sufficient depth to demonstrate your attainment of the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) for this module. You should expect to spend approximately 42 hours on this assignment (this includes time spent on information gathering, research, etc.) There is no specific requirement for a written word count; 2800 words serves as a reasonable guide.

The format of submission should be a single, concise document.

Relevant diagrams and calculations should be included. An extensive quantity of data tables, spreadsheets, etc., is not appropriate, but could be described with concise examples to evidence their use. 

Assessment Length\ Word Count

There is no specific requirement for a written word count; 2800 words serves as a reasonable guide.

Module Learning Outcomes (numbered)

• Critically evaluate the wide variety of real-world motivations for the hybridisation and electrification of automotive passenger vehicles.
• Interpret and critically evaluate how legislation is impacting the development of hybrid and electrified vehicles
• Evaluate and critically analyse organisational structure within the automotive industry
• Evaluate and critique strategies employed by automotive manufacturers for new product development to meet customer and legislative demands
• Systematically search, critique and evaluate academic literature appropriate to the subject matter

Learning Outcomes assessed in this assessment (numbered)

• Critically evaluate the wide variety of real-world motivations for the hybridisation and electrification of automotive passenger vehicles.
• Interpret and critically evaluate how legislation is impacting the development of hybrid and electrified vehicles
• Not assessed
• Evaluate and critique strategies employed by automotive manufacturers for new product development to meet customer and legislative demands
• Systematically search, critique and evaluate academic literature appropriate to the subject matter

Late Submission Policy

If work is submitted late, penalties will be applied at the rate of 5 marks per University working day after the due date, up to a maximum of 10 working days late. After this period, the mark for the work will be reduced to 0 (which is the maximum penalty).“Late” means after the submission deadline time as well as the date – work submitted after the given time, even on the same day, is counted as 1 day late.

Resit Policy

If you fail this module and/or component, the University allows students to remedy failure (within certain limits). Decisions to authorise resits are made by Exam Boards. These will be issued at specific times of the year, depending on your programme of study. More information can be found from your programme office if you are concerned.