Nissan may become first Thai eco-car

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Nissan may become first Thai eco-car  
Bangkok Post: 20/3/2009
Nissan may be first mover on eco-car

Nissan is expected to become Thailand's first eco-car producer as the status of similar projects proposed by its peers remains unclear. The Japanese carmaker said yesterday that its 5-billion-baht plan to make small, fuel-efficient cars in Thailand remained on track despite the economic downturn. Some other automakers have announced postponements while those of others are behind schedule.

''Our plan is going on as scheduled and the first car is expected to roll out in 2010,'' said Toru Hasegawa, the president of Siam Nissan Automobile Co, the strategic regional operations base of Nissan.

Earlier reports from Tokyo said that Nissan Motor Co, Japan's third-largest auto manufacturer, planned to shift production of its subcompact cars from Japan to Thailand in 2010 and then export them back to Japan after production was hard hit by the strong yen, significantly reducing car demand.

It is possible the popular March mini-car jointly redesigned with its French partner Renault will be made in Thailand to take advantage of cheaper local parts and tax breaks for eco-friendly cars.

Mr Hasegawa, who took over Nissan's Thai unit in February, did not exactly confirm that the March would be Nissan's eco-car model in Thailand but he said it would be a newly developed car.

Nissan will produce between 100,000 and 150,000 eco-cars in Thailand for domestic and export markets.

Mr Hasegawa also said the existing corporate name would be changed to Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co, from April 21, to bring it in line with the global brand and to reflect Thailand's export prominence, especially for eco-cars.

The name change represent the company's unified approach to enhance the Nissan brand identity in Thailand.

However, Nissan's Thai unit has no plan to change the shareholding structure either now or in the future. Currently, the Japanese parent holds a 75% stake in Siam Nissan Automobile and Siam Motor Group, owned by the Phornprapha family, which has now become a Nissan dealer, holds the rest.

Against the backdrop of the sluggish automotive market, Siam Nissan Automobile yesterday launched a new Teana saloon at competitive prices that are 2-3% cheaper than those of the rival Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

The new Teana comes in six model variants priced from 1.179 million baht for the standard model to 1.649 million for the top range. Sales for new Teana until the end of this year are forecast at about 3,000 units.

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Bookings for Nissan Thai eco-car strong 
Bangkok Post: 31 May 2010
AUTOMOBILES
Bookings for eco-car help Nissan

Nissan has received more than 13,000 bookings for the March, Thailand's first eco-car model, since its official launch in March.

The better-than-expected orders have not strained capacity at Nissan Motor Thailand's plant on Bang Na-Trat Highway, as the automaker had prepared for sufficient output of the five-door hatchbacks to cover local demand.

The company aims to produce 90,000 of the cars in its 2010 financial year ending next March 31, with 20,000 to be sold locally and the rest exported.

"We can't say when we can finish deliveries [of units already booked] but we are trying every means possible to deliver the cars to our customers as fast as possible," said a company spokesman.

Those on the long waiting list are being offered incentives including draws for one-baht in gold and free accessories.

The spokesman said the company was also exporting a limited number of units to test the market while the official launch of exports would start later this year, with Japan one of the destinations.

Nissan ceased small-car production in Japan and shifted all production to Thailand this year, aiming to export the models back to Japan.

The relocation has helped the automaker to cut production costs by procuring local parts and benefiting from Thailand's tax breaks for eco-cars.

Nissan's Thai unit joins those in China, India and Mexico as manufacturing hubs for the March, also known as the Micra in Europe. Sales of the March are expected to help Nissan reach double digits in the Thai market share by 2012.

In 2012, Nissan's overall vehicle production in Thailand will reach 200,000 units, compared with 63,000 units in 2008 and a 5.6% market share.

Nissan is the first contender in the eco-car market among six companies that have received Board of Investment privileges to make the energy-efficient subcompacts in Thailand.

The March has a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder engine and a starting price of 375,000 baht. In all, there will be six variants priced up to 537,000 baht.

This year the company hopes to sell 20,000 pickup trucks and 8,000 Tiida compact cars and Teana mid-sized cars in addition to 20,000 March subcompacts.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/38021/bookings-for-eco-car-help-nissan

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Thai tax incentive to boost eco-car sales 
: 11 Jun 2010
Tax reduction measure hoped to boost eco-car sale
BANGKOK, 11 June 2010 (NNT) – Car manufacturer giants, General Motor (GM) – Honda, prepares to open new production lines for eco-friendly vehicles after the Ministry of Finance officially lowers the excise on E85-compatible cars.

Director General of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) Krairit Nilkuha revealed that the 3% reduction in excise tax for E85 vehicles with an engine size of 3,000 cc or smaller, becomes effective this month. The measure has cut the rate down to 22-32%. The Finance Ministry is also considering cutting down the customs duty for auto parts imported for E85 cars to promote the production of energy-saving vehicles.

Mr Krairit believed that the tax measure would help bring the price of E85 cars down to the same level as regular cars and boost their sales. The measure is also expected to provide an incentive for other car manufacturers to expand the production of eco cars.

Many car producers, including GM and Honda, are preparing to launch E85-compatible models in the Motor Expo at the end of this year while Toyota plans its launch by early 2011. They are confident that the tax measure will help improve their sales significantly.