Answer the Following Questions Using the Information Below:
Following a Strategy

question 27

Multiple Choice

Answer the following questions using the information below:
Following a strategy of product differentiation, Arseniq Company makes a high-end Appliance, XT15. Arseniq presents the following data for the years 2014 and 2015:
$\begin{array}{lrr}&2014&2015\\\text { Units of XT15 produced and sold } & 50,000 & 52,500 \\\text { Selling price } & \$ 500 & \$ 550 \\\text { Direct materials (square feet) } & 150,000 & 153,750 \\\text { Direct materials costs per square foot } & \$ 50 & \$ 55 \\\text { Manufacturing capacity in units of XT15 } & 62,500 & 62,500\\\text { Total conversion costs } & \$ 6,250,000 & \$ 6,875,000 \\\text { Conversion costs per unit of capacity } & \$ 100 & \$ 110 \\\text { Selling and customer-service capacity (customers) } & 150 & 150 \\\text { Total selling and customer-service costs } & \$ 2,250,000 & \$ 2,343,750 \\\text { Selling and customer-service capacity cost per customer } & \$ 15,000 & \$ 15,625\end{array}$ Arseniq produces no defective units but it wants to reduce direct materials usage per unit of XT15. Manufacturing conversion costs in each year depend on production capacity defined in terms of XT15 units that can be produced. Selling and customer-service costs depend on the number of customers that the customer and service functions are designed to support. Arseniq had 140 customers in 2014 and 145 customers in 2015.
-What is the cost effect of the growth component?

• A) $375,000 U
• B) $1,506,250 U
• C) $1,506,250 O
• D) $375,000 O

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Definitions:

Competitive Price Environment

A market condition in which multiple companies offer similar products or services, often leading to pricing strategies aimed at attracting customers while maintaining profitability.

Price-Setting Process

The method used by businesses to determine the selling price of their products or services, taking into account costs, competition, target market, and profit margins.

Price Fixing

An illegal agreement between competitors to fix, control, or maintain the price of goods or services at a certain level, often higher than the free market would set.

Predatory Pricing

A competitive strategy where a company sets very low prices for its products or services with the intent to drive competitors out of the market.