Transland Trucking Corp. (TTC) has decided to enter into a series of 5-year lease agreements with GE Corp. to provide and maintain equipment for its global transport needs. These agreements will be rolled over every five years ad infinitum.

TTC currently has a fleet of existing trucks that have 3 years of useful life remaining. TTC is debating when to initiate the first of these leasing agreements.

At present, TTCs truck fleet could be sold for $3,000,000. In 3 years time, the fleet salvage value will be $600,000. The current book value for the truck fleet is $2,400,000 and the fleet is being depreciated on a straight-line basis. Maintaining the truck fleet involves $150,000 worth of expenses per year, paid at the beginning of the year. Under the leasing agreement, GE provides and maintains the equipment for a fee of $1,000,000 per annum, paid at the beginning of the year. Regardless of the timing of the leasing decision, the firm will generate $2,100,000 in revenue and $500,000 in expenses (apart from truck fleet-related expenses) this year and each following year.

The companys cost of capital is 16% (required rate of return). Assume that this project has a level of risk that is identical to the risk of the firm as a whole. Also, assume that their tax rate is 21%.

Should TTC immediately initiate the leasing agreement and sell its current fleet of trucks or should TTC continue using their existing fleet for 3 more years and then initiate the leasing agreement?