Here’s your chance to catch the first glimpse of Nissan’s upcoming global compact car which will be launched in Thailand in March 2010 before being made available in more than 150 countries.
The vehicle will qualify as an “eco-car” under Thai policy and will be the first one produced, beating Honda to the punch – Honda will launch its own eco-car later in 2010, according to Frost and Sullivan.
Thai eco-car policy became effective on October 1 and is designed to help Thailand cross the two million units per year production mark through the support of eco cars as a product champion.
The scheme, created by the Thailand Board of Investment in 2007, includes numerous benefits – vehicles qualify for an eight year exemption on machinery duty import and corporate income tax; and up to 90 per cent reduction of import duties on raw materials and parts.
In order to qualify as an eco-car, manufacturers must hit production of 100,000 units on the fifth year with a minimum investment of $149millionUS. The car must also have fuel consumption figures equal to or better than 47mpg; CO2 emissions equal to or less than 120g/km; meet Euro 4 pollution standards; and satisfy passenger safety standards for both front and side impact as specified in UNECE Reg. 94 and Reg. 95.
source: thegreencarwebsite
