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Choose the option that best answers the question.

Diomedes Motors has just decided to start using Rapilux Tires on most models of its new cars. The tires cost the same as the previous tires, and the change in tires will not change the sticker price of any car, nor will it change the profit on the sale of any particular car. Nevertheless, the CEO of Diomedes Motors expects this change in tires to increase Diomedes' profits in the coming year.

Which of the following, if true, provides the best reason for the expectation?

The new Rapilux Tires facilitate loading the new cars onto the trucks that deliver them to the Diomedes showroom. The change to Rapilux Tires in most Diomedes models moves those models to the highest safety rating category; several national consumer advocacy groups give focused advertising to cars in this category. Since Diomedes has replaced the tires on only some of its models, it can continue to accommodate car buyers who prefer the older tire type. Few car buyers are likely to decide against buying a Diomedes Motors model simply because it now comes with Rapilux Tires. Some of the tires previously used on these particular Diomedes models are being phased out by those tire manufacturers, and would have to be replaced anyway, and no tire that would fit these Diomedes Models is any cheaper than the Rapilux Tires chosen.

Title

Diomedes Motors has just

Your Result

Correct

Difficulty

Easy

Your Pace

0:01

Others' Pace

1:45

Video Explanation

Text Explanation

In this argument, all the evidence cited seems to indicate no major change in profits. Diomedes Motor's expectations must be based on some new piece of evidence, not considered in the prompt.

(B) is the credited answer. The change in tires will move the cars to the highest safety rating category, which results in free advertising from highly reputable sources, the national consumer advocacy groups, who will now advertise these cars as among the safest on the road! That's huge! That is quite likely to result in increased sales & increased profits.

Choice (A) indicates some minor convenience associated with the Rapilux Tires, but this would not be a meaningful source of any additional profits.

Choice (C) if some consumers aren't going to change their preference or buying patterns, that speaks to an aspect of revenue that is not likely to change much, and which thus does not explain increased profits.

Choice (D) is weak support: the Rapilux Tires are not a deterrent for many folks. This is evidence that profits won't steeply decline as a result of the change, but that's hardly evidence in and of itself for a marked increase in profits.

Choice (E) indicates the inevitability of a change in tires, but that, in and of itself, gives no indication that the change will be inherently profitable.

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