1. A public transit authority is evaluating whether to purchase new high-speed railcars from Siemens AG or General Electric. The Siemens AG cars cost $275,000 each, are expected to last ten years and have anticipated annual maintenance costs of $10,000 each. The General Electric cars cost $195,000, are expected to last six years and have anticipated annual maintenance costs of $15,000 each. If the transit authority's cost of capital is 8%, and the cost is spread evenly over each year, which manufacturer should they chose? (Hint: Annualize the cost using the PMT function in Excel.) Does your conclusion change if General Electric guarantees that annual maintenance on their railcars will not exceed $10,000 each?

2. The code enforcement unit of a public safety department has two options for purchasing a new vehicle: a $23,000 four-cylinder sedan that averages 26 mpg or a $28,000 hybrid that averages 47 mpg. Assuming that gasoline will cost $4.00 per gallonthat the vehicle will be driven for 15,000 miles per year and will incur annual maintenance costs of $200, which vehicle should the unit purchase? Further assume the vehicle will be kept for five years with no salvage value and a discount rate of 5%. Does your recommendation change if the vehicle is kept for six years?