The following appeared in a letter to the city council of Canbury from the president of Plexma Motors.” I am pleased that the council is considering Plexma’s plans to open a new manufacturing site in Canbury next year. In addition to our regular line of cars, Plexma has also begun designing and testing a line of automated self-driving vehicles. In a recent survey conducted by local media, 60 percent of Canbury’s residents reported that they would purchase a Plexma self-driving vehicle in the future if they were confident in the vehicles’ safety. We are happy to report that last summer, we tested our new line of self-driving vehicles in downtown Canbury with great success. Not only did our five tested vehicles remain accident-free for two months during testing, but in a survey conducted after testing, 90 percent of Canbury’s residents reported that when they were downtown and our vehicles were in operation they felt very safe. Because steady demand for our self-driving vehicles will create new jobs and thereby greatly benefit Canbury’s economy as a whole, I recommend that you vote to allow Plexma to begin manufacturing and selling these vehicles in Canbury.”

The following appeared in a letter to the city council of Canbury from the president of Plexma Motors.

“I am pleased that the council is considering Plexma’s plans to open a new manufacturing site in Canbury next year. In addition to our regular line of cars, Plexma has also begun designing and testing a line of automated self-driving vehicles. In a recent survey conducted by local media, 60 percent of Canbury’s residents reported that they would purchase a Plexma self-driving vehicle in the future if they were confident in the vehicles’ safety. We are happy to report that last summer, we tested our new line of self-driving vehicles in downtown Canbury with great success. Not only did our five tested vehicles remain accident-free for two months during testing, but in a survey conducted after testing, 90 percent of Canbury’s residents reported that when they were downtown and our vehicles were in operation they felt very safe. Because steady demand for our self-driving vehicles will create new jobs and thereby greatly benefit Canbury’s economy as a whole, I recommend that you vote to allow Plexma to begin manufacturing and selling these vehicles in Canbury.”

Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.

The letter contains a number of assertions about Plexma Motors and the residents of Canbury. First, the company plans to manufacture self-driving cars in Canbury, which undoubtedly represents progress for Canbury. Second, the residents of Canbury appreciate Plexma’s willingness to invest and create jobs in their city. The company’s survey indicates that 90% of Canbury residents feel safe when Plexma’s self-driving vehicles are in operation. The statement suggests that the company’s self-driving vehicles are safe, but the letter does not explain how they were tested. The company should have released the results of the tests to the public, thereby enabling residents to evaluate Plexma’s claims for themselves. If the tests were adequate, the company could claim that the vehicles were safe. However, if the tests were inadequate, the company might have to explain why the vehicles did not perform well. The company should be willing to release the results of its tests to the city council before the council votes on the company’s proposal.

Finally, the letter suggests that Plexma’s vehicles will greatly benefit Canbury’s economy. If 90% of Canbury’s residents feel safe when Plexma’s vehicles are in operation, it is reasonable for the city council to conclude that the demand for Plexma’s vehicles will be substantial. However, the letter does not specify how Plexma’s vehicles will benefit Canbury’s economy. If the company’s vehicles cost less than comparable, conventional vehicles, it is likely that Plexma’s vehicles will attract buyers who previously could not afford to purchase a motorcar. If Plexma’s vehicles provide greater safety, they will limit the injuries suffered by the individuals who must drive conventional vehicles. If Plexma’s vehicles provide greater fuel efficiency, they will reduce the cost of fuel for Canbury residents. If Plexma’s vehicles have other features that appeal to Canbury citizens, Plexma’s vehicles will contribute significantly to Canbury’s economy. The council must consider all of these factors before voting to approve Plexma’s plan.

The letter does not provide sufficient information about the tests that Plexma Motors conducted or the results of those tests. Plexma should have released the results of its tests to the public, thereby enabling the residents of Canbury to evaluate the information for themselves. The letter also does not indicate that the 90% of Canbury residents who reported that they felt safe when Plexma’s vehicles were in operation were informed of the tests, and the letter does not explain how the residents knew to feel safe. Plexma should address these shortcomings in its letter to the city council.