SA Auto Parts is expanding its operations to support the launch of Electric Vehicle (EV) components. In order to operate successfully, the business must ensure that key business functions are in place and fully staffed.

Here are four business functions SA Auto Parts should fulfill for its EV component launch, along with their justifications: Step 1: Identify the Marketing function. • Why SA Auto Parts should fulfill this business function: The marketing function is essential for SA Auto Parts to effectively introduce its new EV components to the market. It involves researching customer needs, developing product strategies, pricing, promotion, and distribution. This ensures that potential customers are aware of the new components, understand their benefits, and are motivated to purchase them, driving sales and market share for the new product line. Step 2: Identify the Finance function. • Why SA Auto Parts should fulfill this business function: Launching EV components requires significant financial investment for research, development, new equipment, and operational costs. The finance function manages budgeting, secures funding (e.g., loans, investments), monitors cash flow, and analyzes profitability. This ensures the business has the necessary capital to expand, operates efficiently, and remains financially sustainable during and after the EV component launch. Step 3: Identify the Human Resources (HR) function. • Why SA Auto Parts should fulfill this business function: The production of EV components demands specialized skills and expertise. The HR function is crucial for recruiting, hiring, and training a skilled workforce capable of designing, manufacturing, and testing these advanced components. It also manages employee relations, performance, and development, ensuring a competent and motivated team that contributes to high-quality production and operational efficiency. Step 4: Identify the Purchasing function. • Why SA Auto Parts should fulfill this business function: To manufacture EV components, SA Auto Parts needs to acquire specific raw materials, sub-components, and specialized machinery. The purchasing function is responsible for sourcing high-quality materials from reliable suppliers at competitive prices, negotiating contracts, and managing inventory. Efficient purchasing minimizes costs, ensures a steady supply chain, and prevents production delays, contributing to the overall success and efficiency of the EV component manufacturing process. Here is the completed table: |l|l| Business function & Why should the business fulfill this business function? \\ Marketing & The marketing function is essential for SA Auto Parts to effectively introduce its new EV components to the market. It involves researching customer needs, developing product strategies, pricing, promotion, and distribution. This ensures that potential customers are aware of the new components, understand their benefits, and are motivated to purchase them, driving sales and market share for the new product line. \\ Finance & Launching EV components requires significant financial investment for research, development, new equipment, and operational costs. The finance function manages budgeting, secures funding (e.g., loans, investments), monitors cash flow, and analyzes profitability. This ensures the business has the necessary capital to expand, operates efficiently, and remains financially sustainable during and after the EV component launch. \\ Human Resources (HR) & The production of EV components demands specialized skills and expertise. The HR function is crucial for recruiting, hiring, and training a skilled workforce capable of designing, manufacturing, and testing these advanced components. It also manages employee relations, performance, and development, ensuring a competent and motivated team that contributes to high-quality production and operational efficiency. \\ Purchasing & To manufacture EV components, SA Auto Parts needs to acquire specific raw materials, sub-components, and specialized machinery. The purchasing function is responsible for sourcing high-quality materials from reliable suppliers at competitive prices, negotiating contracts, and managing inventory. Efficient purchasing minimizes costs, ensures a steady supply chain, and prevents production delays, contributing to the overall success and efficiency of the EV component manufacturing process. \\ 3 done, 2 left today. You're making progress.