Imagine that Eveready has developed solar rechargeable batteries that cost only slightly more to produce than the rechargeable batteries currently available. These solar batteries can be recharged by sunlight up to five times, after which they are to be discarded. Unfortunately, the production process cannot be patented, so competitors could enter the market within a year. Which of the following is the best description of the product life cycle of this product?

Select one:

a. Long, level beginning, and rapid ascent
b. High initial sales followed by slow decline
c. High introductory sales followed by rapid decline
d. Rapid growth followed by rapid decline
e. Moderately slow introduction, followed by modest growth, gradually leveling off