The automobile industry uses the concept of planned obsolescence.
Planned obsolescence is the practice of manufacturing commercially purchased devices, products, or other goods that are intended to have only a specific useful life or cycle of use. The practice can be seen in use in various fields and industries, and while not considered ethical by everyone, it is not illegal. Despite the intent behind planned obsolescence, these products are usually still supported or come with a manufacturer’s warranty for a certain period of time. Obsolescence comes after a certain period of time, usually determined by what manufacturers believe the market is willing to put up with.
The computer hardware and software industries built their businesses on a certain planned obsolescence.
Many people point to the American auto industry as the first to develop and use the concept of planned obsolescence, although several different industries have continued to use and improve on the practice. In relation to motor vehicles, the practice is generally thought of as the use of materials or manufacturing methods that ensure that a vehicle will only last a certain number of years before needing to be replaced. While some parts of a motor vehicle will always need to be replaced due to the nature of the engine, planned obsolescence takes this a step further and ensures that larger parts of the vehicle, perhaps the entire vehicle, need to be replaced in a shorter period of time. . time frame. . Many people look at how long cars last, compared to newer cars that seem to need replacement in a much shorter time.
The computer hardware and software industries have also built their businesses on a certain planned obsolescence. While improvements in technology and advances in development processes may explain some changes in what is provided, there is also evidence that some of these practices have carried over into the computer industry. This is often pointed out by certain software developers who create computer operating systems (OS) and release a new product every few years. The argument made to indicate that planned obsolescence is being used is especially strong as software developers stop supporting older versions of certain programs, requiring consumers to purchase new versions to continue running other programs.
The practice of planned obsolescence is generally viewed negatively, as consumers see it as a way for companies to force them to spend more money. Proponents of such practices, however, point to the need for companies to make a profit and retain customers. If a perfect product were made that never needed to be replaced or upgraded, they argue, then a company would only have a limited shelf life to sell such a product before every customer had one and would never need to replace it.