A major car company experienced a drop in sales in the month

Question

A major car company experienced a drop in sales in the month following the publication of a widely read review of the latest model, which asserted the new model was of low quality. The company also received numerous complaints from consumers who had read the review. The company, nevertheless, insists that negative reactions to the review had nothing to do with the company's subsequent drop in sales.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the company's position?

A. Other major car companies reported similar reductions in sales during the same month.

B. The consumers who registered complaints with the network were commercial clients that remained regular buyers of the company's cars.

C. Major car companies publicly attribute drops in sales to the car models' quality only when they receive complaints about quality.

D. This was not the first time a model of car from this company had been negatively reviewed and had inspired consumers to complain to the company.

E. Most car buyers rely on reviews of new models as their primary source of information regarding their purchase decision.

Dabhishek · Answer

Other major car companies reported similar reductions in sales during the same month. OFS The consumers who registered complaints with the network were commercial clients that remained regular buyers of the company's cars. THEN NO EFFECT ON INDIVIDUAL CUSTOMERS, don't explain Major car companies publicly attribute drops in sales to the car models' quality only when they receive complaints about quality. Opposite This was not the first time a model of car from this company had been negatively reviewed and had inspired consumers to complain to the company. correctly comparing -ve reviews to car sales and explaining companies position Most car buyers rely on reviews of new models as their primary source of information regarding their purchase decision. Intimidating but Opposite IMO D correct if wrong, and a +1 wont hurt for like :wink:

arhumsid · Answer

A it is.

We just need to choose an option that indicates that ' there has to be some other reason for the drop in sales than the publication of the review '.

A does this.

If others too saw a similar reduction in sales (when there is no proof of a report against their cars), there has to be  some other reason  that impacted the 'car industry' as a whole.

Please let me know if im wrong.

daagh · Answer

Explanation from GMAT FREE, the source

Reading the question: this prompt, much like Topeka Flights, exhibits some of the features of an argument but is more like an "explain" question. If you are studying with GMAT books and materials from other sources, be aware that most of them overemphasize the importance of arguments in Critical Reasoning. Arguments are certainly essential to Critical Reasoning, but actual questions often focus on other aspects of reasoning.

Note: we can take the opportunity to highlight the fact that, if you are stumped by a prompt or can't create a filter, you can try going straight to the negation test. We need to understand the essence of the prompt--sales are down, reviews are negative, and there are complaints from people who have read the review--but from there we can move straight to the answer choices.

Logical proof: we're asked for an answer that strengthens, so the correct answer, when negated, will weaken or destroy the argument. Choice (A): if other companies did not report similar reductions in sales, it wouldn't strongly weaken the argument; there are still a variety of possible problems at this company. So choice (A) is not highly material to the situation. Choice (B): if the complainers did not remain regular buys of the cars, then they probably dropped the product. That would weaken the claim, because in that case the review did ultimately cause the drop-off in sales. So choice (B) is probably our answer. Choice (C), when negated, doesn't lead to anything sensible. Choice (D): suppose this was the first time this company had been in a situation like this. That wouldn't help us determine either way whether the company's claim is accurate. Choice (E), if negated, would indicate that car buys do not rely on reviews. That statement strongly strengthens the carmaker's argument, so Choice (E), when not negated, strongly weakens the argument--and we want a strengthener. So choice (E) is exactly wrong. Only one answer choice passed the negation test. The correct answer is (B).

lipsi18 · Answer

A) Out of Scope; as other car company details are not discussed.
B)Out of Scope;Commercial customers and regular buys are not bifurcated and talked about.
C) Strengthens company position; car sales is not related to review but related to quality complaints. 
D) Irrelevant; it talks about receiving negative reviews before and complaints.
E) Weakens; sales depend upon review.

Hence, Answer is C.
Thanks

DaenerysStormborn · Answer

I am still unconvinced with B

I think A is better

anje29 · Answer

Hi, Its tough call between A and B , but B is the best here. Conclusion : The company, nevertheless, insists that negative reactions to the review had nothing to do with the company's subsequent drop in sales. If the customers who have raised the complaints remain loyal buyers of the car company then it is right that drop in sales is not because of complaints. In strengthen questions all answers can strengthen the conclusion but you have to choose the answer that strengthens the most . Hope you will be convinced now

eddy8700 · Answer

A major car company experienced a drop in sales in the month following the publication of a widely read review of the latest model, which asserted the new model was of low quality. The company also received numerous complaints from consumers who had read the review. The company, nevertheless, insists that negative reactions to the review had nothing to do with the company's subsequent drop in sales.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the company's position?

Other major car companies reported similar reductions in sales during the same month.

The consumers who registered complaints with the network were commercial clients that remained regular buyers of the company's cars.

Major car companies publicly attribute drops in sales to the car models' quality only when they receive complaints about quality.

This was not the first time a model of car from this company had been negatively reviewed and had inspired consumers to complain to the company.

Most car buyers rely on reviews of new models as their primary source of information regarding their purchase decision.

answer is B

rever08 · Answer

Negation test:

We're asked for an answer that strengthens, so the correct answer, when negated, will weaken the argument.

(A): if other companies did not report similar reductions in sales, it wouldn't strongly weaken the argument; there are still a variety of possible problems at this company.

(B): if the complainers did not remain regular buys of the cars, then they probably dropped the sale of the product. That would weaken the claim, because in that case the review did ultimately cause the drop-off in sales.

(C): Out of scope

(D): suppose this was the first time this company had been in a situation like this. That wouldn't help us determine either way whether the company's claim is accurate.

(E): if negated, would indicate that car buys do not rely on reviews. That statement strongly strengthens the carmaker's argument, so Choice (E), when not negated, strongly weakens the argument--and we want a strengthener. So choice (E) is exactly opposite of what is required.

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Let kudos be spend for every worthy read!

Mahmud6 · Answer

I am not clear about B. Commercial clients may remained regular buyers of the company's cars but it might happen that due to negative review, no new buyers purchased this car. Let, before the review, new buyers bought 100 cars and commercial clients bought 100 cars, total 200 cars. After negative review, commercial clients bought 100 cars but no new buyers purchased this cars. So, there was an impact of review on declining sales.

Am I missing something?

Am I missing something?

rever08 · Answer

The question asks for the answer choice that supports the claim of the company; the claim here being that the bad review had no impact on the sale. Out of the given options B best suits our requirement. There's no other option even close to it.

daagh  Please suggest if my line of thoughts are correct!

mdhyan2012 · Answer

Bogus question and bogus OA.

This question is based on a OG question. In that, choice A was correct.

These kind of QSN, OA and Explanations are to be deleted, as they do harm.

Original OG question on which above question is based (type in google): A major network news organization experienced a drop in viewership in the week following the airing of a controversial report on the economy. The network also received a very large number of complaints regarding the report. The network, however, maintains that negative reactions to the report had nothing to do with its loss of viewers.

NightWalker · Answer

I don’t agree with the OA provided here at all. Kudos to the ones who answered with choice A.

Posted from my mobile device

VerbalBot · Answer

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A major car company experienced a drop in sales in the month

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