If the price of steel, an input into the production of automobiles, rises, and at the same time the price of gasoline decreases, what will happen to the equilibrium price and quantity of automobiles? Explain using Supply and Demand.
So, increase in price of steel, which is an input would lead to
increase in the cost of production of cars. As a result, the supply
curve shifts upwards to the left. As a result, price increases and
quantity decreases.
If the price of gasoline decreases which is a complimentary good
for automobiles, it is probably likely that the consumer decides to
travel more frequently by car/ hire cabs more frequently, pushing
up the demand for automobiles. Hence, the demand curve shifts to
the right. As a result, price increases and the quantity
increases.
As a combined effect of the two processes, we can say that the
price level will definitely increase, while the effect of quantity
cannot be determined. It can increase, decrease or remain the
same.
See the graph for the same.
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