The cost of manufacturing automobiles is considerably

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The cost of manufacturing automobiles is considerably greater in Esteria than in Burdistan. In order to stimulate Esterian consumers' purchases of domestically manufactured automobiles, the Esterian government has historically charged taxes on automobiles manufactured in Burdistan. Five years ago, however, the Esterian government dropped those taxes; in those five years, the number of workers employed in Esterian automobile factories has decreased by 30%. Therefore, the number of vehicles manufactured and sold in Esteria must have decreased in the last five years.

Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument?


A) Many Esterian automobile manufacturers operate factories outside Esteria.

B) The number of automobile workers in Burdistan has not increased during the same period.

C) Because vehicles manufactured in Esteria have a reputation for high quality, many Esterian consumers have continued to purchase domestically manufactured vehicles since the tax was abolished.

D) Esterian automobile manufacturers have lowered the price of their automobiles so as to remain competitive with the manufacturers in Burdistan.

E) Recent innovations in automated automobile-manufacturing technology have approximately halved the number of worker-hours required to produce most automobiles.

The OA is E.

I need help with this CR question. Please, would you elaborate on your thought process! I'll really appreciate! Thanks!
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by deloitte247 » Thu Jul 26, 2018 1:47 pm
Option A - INCORRECT.
This option may be true and if true would have enhance more production outside Esteria.

Option B - INCORRECT.
There is a probability that the numbers of workers working in Burdistan would have increase or may not due to the effect of the taxes imposed on them during that period.

Option C - INCORRECT.
This option might be true and can be a statement of fact. Due to high quality of automobiles produced in Esteria, many Esterian consumers would continued to purchase domestically manufactured vehicles along side automobiles produced in Burdistan since the tax was abolished.

Option D - INCORRECT.
The statement in this option maybe true and might be the cause of the removal of taxes imposed on automobiles produced in Burdistan.

Option E - CORRECT.
The statement in this option has proven to weaken the argument. However, recent innovations in automated automobile-manufacturing technology has not halved the number of worker-hours required to produce most automobiles, rather it has stimulate the number of hours needed to produce automated automobiles by manufacturers.

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answer

by ByjusGMATapp » Fri Aug 17, 2018 1:42 am
Hello..
Let me give you my 2 cents on this question.
The conclusion of the argument is that the number of vehicles manufactured and sold in Esteria must have significantly reduced because of the reason that the number of workers in Esteria have reduced. There is a clear causality showing that the reduction of the number of workers must be a reason for the reduction in the number of cars manufactured. We will need to weaken this - This means we will need to find alternate reasons for the reduction of the manufactured number of cars.
A - Location of the factory doesn't matter.
B - We will need to find an alternate reason for Esteria and not for Burdistan
C - This option strengthens the argument.
D - Again, this option is not related to the reduction in the number of cars manufactured.
E - OA.
Hope that helps.
Thanks,
Saikiran Dudyala
Byju's GMAT Expert