The solution is not to make tractors that should be replaced every 10 years, right? The company can take the know how and move to disrupt other machines
reply> maximize shareholder dividends
replyThis is the whole reason why middle class is dying and power and wealth are being consolidated amongst the rich.
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replyThe disincentive to provide a durable product is unfortunate. Ideally businesses pair high-ticket one-time sales with low-cost recurring sales of related products and services.
replyMust we sell more than 10,000? That seems like a reasonable check for a small business to take home and go solve some other problem for someone.
replyThe thing is, your reputation will get out there. Folks will want to work with you because of who you are; it'll be profitable (in many ways) even if it isn't a 100-year dynasty.
So lay off thousand of employees, shutter a factory, close dozens of distribution centers. Degrowth has real world consequences for real world people, and sustainability is generally good.
replyPrior to the idea of planned obsolescence and vendor lock-in / maintenance revenue once you saturate a market the pivot would be to use that infrastructure and expertise to enter other markets. They could still sell tractors but there's tons of other stuff they could make and sell as well, like maybe much smaller tractors for one.
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