Final answer:
Benetton is least likely to follow the flagship model strategy among the options provided, as it operates in the fashion industry which is not the focus of the provided context of automotive industry globalization.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks to identify which among the businesses listed does not employ the flagship model strategy. Globalization has significantly altered the landscape of the automobile industry by increasing competition and market boundaries, as previously dominant firms like General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler now contend with international players such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, Mitsubishi, and Mazda. These changes lead to improved product quality due to competitive pressures.
Among the options given, Ford, Volkswagen, and Microsoft are known to operate within industries that are highly impacted by globalization and employ flagship strategies, whereas Benetton, being a fashion brand, may not fit the context of the automotive industry's flagship model. Therefore, the business that is least likely to follow the flagship model strategy in the context given would be Benetton (D).