. A hydraulic press was installed 10 years ago at a capital investment cost of $70,000. This press presently has a market value of $14,000. If kept, the press has an economic life of three years, operating expenses of $14,000 per year, and a market value of $10,000 at the end of year (EOY) three. The existing press is being depreciated by the straight line method using a 15-year write-off period with an estimated salvage value for depreciation purposes of $10,000.
As an alternative, the currently owned press can be replaced with an improved challenger press which will cost $65,000 to install, have operating expenses of $9,000 per year, and have a final market value of $10,000 at the end of its 20-year economic life. If the replacement is made, the challenger press will be depreciated with the straight line method over a 20-year life with an estimated salvage value of $10,000 at EOY 20. It is thought that a hydraulic press will be needed indefinitely.
If the after-tax MARR is 10% per year and the effective income tax rate is 40%, should the defender or the challenger be recommended?