Final answer:
Howl Motors should set prices for sports cars and SUVs near the lower end of the competitive market rates; around $25,000 for sports cars and $37,000 for SUVs to maximize sales volume and profitability.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the optimal pricing strategy for Howl Motors, we must consider the provided market data, internal costs, and preferred strategy. The company purchases sports cars at $22,500 and SUVs at $31,000. To maximize volume, they should price both vehicles on the lower end of the competitive market rates.
For sports cars, given the market range of $25,000 to $32,500, a pricing point closer to $25,000 would likely drive higher sales, considering their volume-maximization goal and provided the market’s willingness to pay remains consistent. For SUVs, with a competitive pricing range of $37,000 to $44,999, setting a price near the lower bound of $37,000 will be ideal for the same reason.
Given last year's sales figures, they sold 2,200 sports cars and 1,700 SUVs. To estimate profitability, Howl Motors would subtract its unit costs from the determined selling prices and then multiply by projected unit sales, keeping in mind the potential for increased sales volume due to lower pricing.