Protean Electric: Innovation upon innovation
Subject
Economics, Marketing
Authors / Editors
Arnold D
Biographies
Publication Year
2020
Abstract
The case is intended as a vehicle for analysis of the challenges involved in launching an innovative product. It is set against the background of the wave of innovation in the vehicle market, as manufacturers race to replace internal combustion engines (ICEs) with electric power. Protean Electric, a company of British origin but now Chinese-owned, aims to introduce another level of innovation by introducing its in-wheel motor (IWM) technology to electric vehicles (EVs). Instead of simply replacing an internal combustion engine with an electric battery unit, Protean technology dispenses with the central powertrain and mounts electric power units in some or all of the wheels of the vehicle. The company is committed to being part of the entry into the mainstream passenger EV market of Evergrande, its Chinese owners, but has historically also looked at other sectors such as urban shuttles and delivery fleets, and has retained the ability to continue to develop products for those sectors. It also has to consider the emerging consensus that the transport market of the future will shift away from individual ownership towards a model known as CASE (connected, autonomous, shared, electrified). The contrast between the ‘niche’ IWM innovation and the market-wide electric revolution highlights the key concepts in new-product market analysis.
Topic List
Marketing
Industry
Automotive
LBS Case Number
CS-20-004
Location
China; International, United Kingdom
Publication Notes
https://publishing.london.edu/cases/protean-electric-innovation-upon-innovation/
Available on ECCH
No
