The term "capital-intensive" refers to business or industrial processes that require a significant amount of initial investment in equipment or infrastructure. Antonyms for this term might include "low-cost", "labor-intensive", or "resource-efficient". These vehicles, machines, and structures require considerable inputs of materials, labor, and energy to function optimally. Although capital-intensive firms may offer high returns on investment in the long run, they are also subject to risks such as market fluctuations, technological obsolescence, and disruptive innovation. By contrast, low-cost firms may be able to adapt more quickly to the changing needs and demands of the marketplace, though they may face challenges in attracting and retaining highly skilled workers, and may struggle to maintain their competitive edge over the long term.