Definition:
“Planned obsolescence, or built-in obsolescence if you are in the UK, is the decision by a manufacturer to purposely design, manufacture and distribute a consumer product to become obsolete or non-functional specifically to force the customer to buy the next generation of the product.” (http://www.computerinfoweb.com/computer_electronics/Blu_Ray.php)
Product: Cars
A prevalent example of planned obsolescence in a product design is found in that of cars.
Planned obsolecence in cars is a relatively new thing. In the sixties, cars that were manufactured before WWII were still driven, and during that time Volkswagen built a cheap and practical car “until it flooded the entire market”. However, companies realized that once sales stabilized, people would not buy new cars. For the manufacturers, this meant firing many workers and a drop in profits. Thus, for the next two or three decades they adopted the process of keeping manufacturers and workers busy and producing cars that would not last for a long period of time. Why? To keep customers buying new cars.
The policy (regarding the production of cars):
1. “routinely discontinue parts that could otherwise be made available for repairs.”
2. ” confirm to a strict yearly cycle of model releases, often introducing purely cosmetic changes from one year to the next.”
3. “retire popular models and bring out something new every few years, making it harder to fix older vehicles.” (instead of “sticking with hits and standardizing them over time, which would better support a repair aftermarket”)
Cars today, for many, are seen as a fashion accessory and statement. It has become common for people to buy the new model of a car, even if the one they own is in great shape, and still has years to live.
Although planned obsolecence is beneficial for car companies, as it greatly increases their profits and product demand, one must consider the ethical implications of this policy. Is it ethically acceptable to produce cars that will not last very long in order to make a greater profit?
Sources:
http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/11010
http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/planned-obsolescence-460210#ixzz1th7oPId5
