Johnson Scooter Company Is Considering Whether or Not to Expand

question 178

Essay

Johnson Scooter Company is considering whether or not to expand into a new area of the United States. They produce high-performance gas scooters with moderate gas mileage, but have developed a new battery technology that combines a small amount of electrical energy with the existing gas power. This new technology will significantly increase the fuel economy of their bikes. They will need to spend $5,075,000 to retrofit a building to incorporate the new fuel-saving technology. New worker training will cost $1,984,000. Other expenses involved to set up and run the new plant are $332,000. The CEO anticipates that, with gas price increases, the profit potential of this expansion is $7,588,000. Do the benefits outweigh the costs, or do the costs outweigh the benefits, and by how much?

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Definitions:

Professors of Economics

Academics specialized in the study of economics, typically working in universities or colleges, conducting research, and teaching students about economic theories and principles.

Supply

The overall quantity of a particular product or service that is accessible to buyers.

Productivity Workers

Employees whose output per period of time increases due to improvements in technology or work methods.

Labor Demand

The quantity of workers that employers are willing and able to hire at a given wage rate, reflecting businesses' need for labor.