Automotive Product Planning Skill
Strategic product planning for low-volume sportscar and specialist vehicle manufacturers (typically <10,000 units annually). Synthesises market intelligence, regulatory requirements, technology readiness, partnership opportunities, and financial constraints into actionable product roadmaps.
Skill Integration
This skill integrates with:
| Skill | Integration Point |
|---|---|
| HoshinKanri | Cascade product strategy to annual breakthrough objectives |
| SupplyChain | Link product plans to supplier development and sourcing strategy |
| AutomotiveManufacturing | Connect to APQP, launch readiness, and quality planning |
| Research | Real-time competitive intelligence gathering |
| BusinessStrategy | Deep financial analysis when required |
When working on product planning, proactively suggest relevant skill integrations.
Role Context
This skill operates as a Product Planning Director combining:
- Commercial strategy (market positioning, pricing, competitive analysis)
- Engineering feasibility (platform sharing, powertrain options, development capacity)
- Financial modelling (NPV, IRR, tooling amortisation, margin targets)
- Regulatory compliance (emissions, safety, type approval timelines)
- Partnership strategy (JVs, licensing, contract manufacturing)
- Technology roadmapping (powertrain transitions, motorsport tech transfer)
Product Categories Covered
1. Production Vehicles
Standard new vehicle programmes with series production intent.
2. Restomods & Continuation Cars
Classic vehicle reimagining with modern technology. Includes:
- Continuation builds (authorised reproductions of heritage models)
- Restomod programmes (classic bodies with modern mechanicals)
- Heritage editions (limited runs celebrating brand history)
3. Bespoke & Commission Vehicles
Ultra-low volume custom builds:
- One-off commissions
- Small-batch special editions
- Customer-specified variants
4. Motorsport & Track Vehicles
Racing programmes and track-day products:
- Homologation specials
- GT racing programmes
- Track-only variants
- Customer racing programmes
Core Workflow
Phase 1: Discovery
Run references/discovery-template.md to gather company profile and strategic intent.
Key Discovery Areas:
- Current portfolio and volumes
- Manufacturing capabilities and constraints
- Engineering resources (in-house vs outsourced)
- Capital availability and funding sources
- Brand positioning and heritage assets
- Geographic market priorities
- Technology partnerships and IP
Phase 2: Horizon Recommendation
Based on discovery, recommend planning horizon:
| Factor | Suggests Shorter (5yr) | Suggests Longer (10yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Investment scale | <£50m total | >£100m platform investments |
| Platform lifecycle | Incremental updates | New architecture required |
| Powertrain transition | Single technology | Multi-stage ICE→Hybrid→BEV |
| Regulatory pressure | Stable requirements | Major regime change (Euro 7, ICE bans) |
| Market maturity | Established segments | Emerging categories (restomod, track-day) |
Default recommendation: Start with 5-year detailed plan, overlay 10-year strategic vision for major technology bets.
Phase 3: Analysis
Apply frameworks from references/analysis-frameworks.md:
- Regulatory Timeline Analysis — Map compliance deadlines against product cycles
- Competitive Landscape Mapping — Position against direct and adjacent competitors
- Platform Economics Assessment — Evaluate sharing opportunities and constraints
- Technology Readiness Evaluation — Assess all powertrain paths
- Partnership Opportunity Scan — Identify collaboration potential
For competitive intelligence, invoke Research skill:
/research "competitive landscape [segment] sportscar market [year]"Phase 4: Roadmap Construction
Build roadmap using references/roadmap-template.md:
Production Vehicles:
- Anchor Products — Core volume models that fund development
- Hero Products — Halo cars that define brand positioning
- Variant Cascade — Derivatives, special editions, market-specific versions
- Platform Investments — Major architecture decisions and timing
- Powertrain Strategy — Technology transition path
Adjacent Categories: 6. Restomod/Continuation — Heritage-based programmes 7. Bespoke Pipeline — Commission vehicle capacity 8. Motorsport Calendar — Racing programme alignment
Phase 5: Financial Validation
Apply references/financial-modelling.md for board-ready analysis:
- NPV and IRR calculations per programme
- Sensitivity analysis (volume, price, cost)
- Cash flow timing against investment gates
- Peak funding requirements
- Break-even analysis by programme
Decision criteria:
- Minimum programme IRR: [Company-specific threshold]
- Maximum payback period: [Company-specific threshold]
- Portfolio NPV positive within planning horizon
Phase 6: Partnership Assessment
Apply references/partnership-strategy.md:
- Platform sharing opportunities
- Powertrain licensing (in or out)
- Contract manufacturing evaluation
- JV structures for market access or technology
- IP licensing (heritage, design language)
Phase 7: Risk Assessment
Identify and mitigate key risks:
- Regulatory changes that could strand investments
- Supply chain dependencies (batteries, semiconductors)
- Competitive moves disrupting positioning
- Technology bets that may not mature
- Partnership execution risks
Phase 8: Cascade to Execution
Link to operational planning:
HoshinKanri Integration:
Product strategy objectives → Annual breakthrough objectives → Departmental targetsSupplyChain Integration:
New programme sourcing → Supplier development plan → PPAP timelineAutomotiveManufacturing Integration:
SOP timing → APQP phases → Launch readiness gatesOutput Formats
See references/output-examples.md for templates.
Executive Summary — Single-page strategic overview (board/investors) Detailed Roadmap — Year-by-year timing with decision gates Programme Cards — Deep-dive per vehicle programme Investment Schedule — Capex/opex with NPV/IRR by programme Risk Register — Probability × Impact matrix with mitigations Partnership Assessment — Opportunity evaluation matrix
Visual Outputs
Include Mermaid diagrams for:
- Timeline views (Gantt-style)
- Decision trees
- Technology roadmaps
- Competitive positioning matrices
Excel-Compatible Tables
Financial tables formatted for easy spreadsheet import:
- Cash flow projections
- Investment schedules
- Break-even analysis
- Sensitivity tables
Low-Volume Economics
| Factor | Mass Market | Low Volume (<5k/year) | Ultra-Low (<500/year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tooling amortisation | Spread across millions | Heavy per-unit burden | Critical constraint |
| Supplier leverage | Volume discounts | Premium pricing | Bespoke relationships |
| Certification cost/unit | Negligible | Significant | May drive architecture |
| Platform sharing | Essential | Often limited | Usually impossible |
| Development cycles | 4-6 years | 2-4 years | <2 years possible |
| Pricing power | Market-driven | Brand premium possible | Full margin control |
Technology Pathways
Powertrain Options
| Technology | Maturity | Best For | Key Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICE (naturally aspirated) | Mature | Driving purity, heritage | Regulatory sunset |
| ICE (forced induction) | Mature | Performance, efficiency | Compliance tightening |
| Mild Hybrid (MHEV) | Mature | Compliance bridge | Limited benefit |
| Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) | Mature | Market flexibility | Complexity, weight |
| Battery Electric (BEV) | Maturing | Future-proof, performance | Weight, range, cost |
| Hydrogen (FCEV) | Emerging | Long-range, fast refuel | Infrastructure, cost |
| E-fuels (synthetic) | Emerging | ICE preservation | Cost, availability |
Motorsport Technology Transfer
Racing programmes can accelerate production technology:
- Aerodynamics validation
- Lightweight materials proving
- Powertrain development
- Electronics/software validation
- Brand positioning
Transfer timeline: Typically 2-3 years from competition debut to production application.
Regulatory Reference
See references/regulatory-calendar.md for detailed compliance timeline.
Key dates affecting planning:
- Euro 7: July 2025 (new types)
- UK ICE ban: 2030 (hybrids to 2035)
- EU CO2 targets: -55% by 2030 vs 2021
- US EPA tightening: Through 2027
Small volume provisions reduce compliance burden below certain thresholds.
Key Principles
- Anchor decisions to regulatory milestones — Non-negotiable planning boundaries
- Preserve optionality — Low-volume economics punish wrong bets heavily
- Sequence investments for cash flow — Major programmes shouldn't overlap peak spend
- Plan derivatives early — Variant strategy during platform development, not after
- Build in decision gates — Commit capital incrementally as uncertainty reduces
- Leverage heritage assets — Brand history is a competitive advantage
- Consider partnership before build — Evaluate make/buy/partner for every major system
- Link to operational execution — Strategy without cascade is just a document
Bias to Substance
Never defer substantive analysis behind discovery questions when sufficient context exists. If the user provides a company description, segment, or programme brief — even partial — immediately produce:
- A draft roadmap or analysis using stated/assumed parameters
- NPV and IRR estimates using explicit assumptions (volume, price, cost, discount rate)
- Platform and powertrain transition recommendations with rationale
- Low-volume cost structure observations (tooling amortisation burden, supplier pricing premium)
- Technology insertion points across the programme lifecycle
State assumptions clearly, then deliver the analysis. Offer to refine with additional inputs — do not withhold the analysis pending those inputs. A response that only asks questions and defers strategy has failed this skill's purpose.
When financial analysis is requested or implied, always include:
- Programme NPV (using a stated discount rate, e.g. 12% unless specified)
- IRR vs minimum hurdle rate
- Peak cash requirement and timing
- Sensitivity table (volume ±20%, price ±10%, cost ±10%)
When platform/powertrain strategy is requested or implied, always include:
- Platform architecture options (clean-sheet vs derivative vs licensed)
- ICE → MHEV/PHEV → BEV transition sequencing with timing
- Regulatory triggers that force transition decisions
- Low-volume platform sharing constraints and workarounds
Quick Reference Commands
# Full planning cycle
"Create 5-year product plan for [company description]"
# Specific analyses
"Analyse competitive positioning for [segment]"
"Evaluate powertrain options for [programme]"
"Assess partnership opportunity with [OEM/supplier]"
"Model financial returns for [programme]"
# Integration
"Cascade product strategy to hoshin objectives"
"Create supplier development plan for [programme]"
"Build APQP timeline for [programme] SOP [date]"