I have read in the threads the ability to do technology research and maybe even some tech stealing or reverse engineering. But verticle integration is something entirely different and I think it could be added without too much detail or micro management yet enrich the game.
With a business having verticle integration the parent company owns and controls all lines of raw material, R&D, manufacture, distribution and sales. Being able to purchase rubber factories or steel mills or partner with them to receive some cost advantages would be great to see in the game. R&D would entail all areas of the design process, tech research, tech stealing, reverse engineering and even purchasing competitor R&D facilities. I can see in the beginning where R&D could be viewed as a coop or consortium of all the players.
Distribution would be of course the dealerships yet as described in another thread I see a dealership having several functions or divisions: Sales, Parts, Repairs
How about advertisements? Newspaper, radio, TV/Cable, movies, sports events. All of this will add to the car company’s image and consumer awareness.
It doesn’t have to great really crazy from a programming standpoint, a simple screen with choices available would affect internal algorithms that decide if you made a good choice or not.
Just some ideas… MUST PUT COFFEE DOWN NOW>
I like the idea of having to research technology. Our company should be able to split our budget between R&D, materials, salaries, marketing, etc. The more we put into R&D, the quicker we can develop new technologies, even edging out the competition.
[quote=“geozero”]I have read in the threads the ability to do technology research and maybe even some tech stealing or reverse engineering. But verticle integration is something entirely different and I think it could be added without too much detail or micro management yet enrich the game.
With a business having verticle integration the parent company owns and controls all lines of raw material, R&D, manufacture, distribution and sales. Being able to purchase rubber factories or steel mills or partner with them to receive some cost advantages would be great to see in the game. R&D would entail all areas of the design process, tech research, tech stealing, reverse engineering and even purchasing competitor R&D facilities. I can see in the beginning where R&D could be viewed as a coop or consortium of all the players.
Distribution would be of course the dealerships yet as described in another thread I see a dealership having several functions or divisions: Sales, Parts, Repairs
How about advertisements? Newspaper, radio, TV/Cable, movies, sports events. All of this will add to the car company’s image and consumer awareness.
It doesn’t have to great really crazy from a programming standpoint, a simple screen with choices available would affect internal algorithms that decide if you made a good choice or not.
Just some ideas… MUST PUT COFFEE DOWN NOW>[/quote]
I like your idea! It is similar to “rail tycoon”! (Love that game) and ''Detroit" (gnarly yet much older game) 
