It has not been very easy for Intel to expand from its core business of micro processors. A lot of ideas and initiatives have been followed up in the past only to be abandoned. According to CEO, former chairman and co-founder of this company, it is now time for Intel to think about another field of business – car batteries.
In the 1990s, it was Grove who drove Intel towards a successful growth. He put forth this idea to Wall Street Journal during a conversation. According to him, it is now time for Intel to cash in on a big opportunity and venture into manufacturing plug-in electric vehicles and advanced batteries.
Along with Gordon Moore, Grove advises leadership of Intel on various issues. He retired in the year 2005 and the article says he is now urging Paul Otellini, the current CEO to venture into the business of batteries. There is no confirmation as of now on whether his advice will be followed. If it does, it will be unusual and innovative move by the company.
Early 2000 saw Intel venturing into the market of MP3 players, Intel branded toys and other consumer electronic products. This project was shelved soon, however. Businesses which did not fit into the company’s core like chipsets, wireless chips and microprocessors were sold off recently. Intel has been cautious with its expansion plans and recently only ventured into making Larrabee discrete graphic cards which is again closely associated with its core business.
Intel’s recent major attempt at diversification was the Atom Processor, which is facing a few roadblocks.
