Colombian_Import_Opportunity

Colombian Import Opportunity Report on Opportunities for Market Entry Every commuter has those days where the commute becomes the biggest challenge of the day. Commuters face long traveling times. Cities face the need for solutions to eliminating congestion on roadways and high level of pollutants. All of which detract from the attractiveness of their cities. Many Colombian cities fall in this category. Modern day Colombia is very urbanized. Many cities already have restrictions of travel including only driving automobiles every other day. The need for alternative forms of transportation brings the opportunity of introducing the electric scooter to the market. The benefits of bringing an electric scooter to market are reduction of congestion, clean, efficient, reliable, affordable inner-city transportation. An electric scooter, especially one with fuel cell technology would be a low emission scooter. Low emissions mean less pollution, less pollution means less environmental impact. An electric scooter does not replace one fossil burning means of transportation with a smaller version it eliminates the need to use fossil fuels in a congested urban environment. Seventy-three% of the people of Colombia live in an urban environment (World Bank ICT). The largest cities in Colombia, by population are Bogotá (7,185,889 (2003 est.); Cali (2,283,000); Medellin (1,957,800); Barranquilla (1,330,400); Cartagena (901,500); (Infoplease). This is a huge potential for meeting the needs of municipalities as well as the individual commuter. Initial entry possibly would target white-collar workers due to the cost of the technology. However, the rewards pay-off the differences in cost of a gasoline-powered scooter. Teaming or collaborating with local companies could bring down the cost. The climate of Colombia is tropical (CIA Factbook). An electric scooter can be used all year round rather than only seasonally as in some major cites globally. The savings of fuel cost can offset the price of the scooter. Colombians travel mostly by roadways. There is a total of 164,257 km (2005) of roadways (CIA Factbook). Long distances on one charge utilizing, a full size long-range scooter is realistic for urban or rural travelers. The use of efficient alternative means of transportation reduces congestion. The electric scooter can be successful in urban areas, due to new technology it can be of benefit outside of urban areas as well. The electric scooter can be produced, and, or sold with collaboration of established companies in Colombia. One successful entry to market in one city or even country, can lead to the opportunity of introducing the electric scooter to other countries in South America. References CIA Factbook. (n.d.). Retrieved February 7, 2009, from CIA: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/co.html Infoplease. (n.d.). Retrieved February 7, 2009, from Infoplease: http://www.infoplease.com/ World Bank ICT. (n.d.). Retrieved February 7, 2009, from The World Bank: http://devdata.worldbank.org/AAG/col_aag.pdf