Final answer:
The market demand example leading to a new project is a gas shortage that prompts Ford to focus on building fuel-efficient cars, highlighting how external events can influence product development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factor that exemplifies a market demand leading to a new project is (a) A gas shortage from freezing weather in Texas results in a project at Ford to build more fuel-efficient cars. This reflects how external factors such as resource scarcity can drive innovation and product development.
Companies continually assess the market environment for signals that may necessitate a shift in their operations or offer opportunities for new projects. In the case of a gas shortage, there is an increased demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, and a company like Ford may decide to capitalize on this demand by creating products that align with consumer needs. Similarly, other factors like advances in technology or changes in regulations can affect both supply and demand across various industries, which in turn can initiate new projects aimed at adapting to these changes.