Mersey Chemicals manufactures polypropylene that it ships to its customers via tank car. Currently, it plans to
Question:
Mersey Chemicals manufactures polypropylene that it ships to its customers via tank car. Currently, it plans to add two additional tank cars to its fleet four years from now. However, a proposed plant expansion will require Mersey’s transport division to add these two additional tank cars in two years’ time rather than in four years. The current cost of a tank car is $2 million, and this cost is expected to remain constant. Also, while tank cars will last indefinitely, they will be depreciated straight-line over a five-year life for tax purposes. Suppose Mersey’s tax rate is 40%. When evaluating the proposed expansion, what incremental free cash flows should be included to account for the need to accelerate the purchase of the tank cars?
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