Japanese automakers insist they will move forward with eco-car manufacturing as planned despite their failure to obtain changes in some specifications.
According to an automotive industry source, the Japanese carmakers expressed disappointment that Industry Ministry officials had turned down their requests, but confirmed the project would continue.
"The first eco-cars will be introduced into the market as planned," he said.
The manufacturers had asked the ministry to relax some of the strict and potentially costly environmental conditions set by the Board of Investment (BoI) when it approved their investment privileges.
"Even though the board approved privileges for the six automakers last year for their eco-car manufacturing projects, some of the firms were lobbying to see if some conditions could be altered," said the source.
Representatives from Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi discussed their request with Chakramon Phasukvanich, the permanent secretary for the Industry Ministry, last week.
But the source said Mr Chakramon turned them down, saying that the cabinet had already approved the conditions for investment promotion.
The Japanese companies also asked if their eco-cars allocated for export need to abide by BoI requirements.
The eco-car programme stipulates a maximum engine size of 1.3 litres for petrol engines and 1.4 litres for diesel engines. The cars must also have fuel consumption of no more than five litres per 100 kilometres, meet Euro 4 emission standards or better and emit no more than 120 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre. The cars must also meet or exceed UNECE 94 and 95 safety standards.
If automakers did not have to follow the requirements for export, the lower production cost per unit would result in higher margins.
The manufacturers are also concerned that they might not be able to meet the BoI requirement that they produce 100,000 units within five years, so they asked if this target could be extended.
They are also seeking clarification on whether the special 17% excise tax imposed for engine imports would be applicable for all models of engines.
According to an automotive industry source, the Japanese carmakers expressed disappointment that Industry Ministry officials had turned down their requests, but confirmed the project would continue.
"The first eco-cars will be introduced into the market as planned," he said.
The manufacturers had asked the ministry to relax some of the strict and potentially costly environmental conditions set by the Board of Investment (BoI) when it approved their investment privileges.
"Even though the board approved privileges for the six automakers last year for their eco-car manufacturing projects, some of the firms were lobbying to see if some conditions could be altered," said the source.
Representatives from Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi discussed their request with Chakramon Phasukvanich, the permanent secretary for the Industry Ministry, last week.
But the source said Mr Chakramon turned them down, saying that the cabinet had already approved the conditions for investment promotion.
The Japanese companies also asked if their eco-cars allocated for export need to abide by BoI requirements.
The eco-car programme stipulates a maximum engine size of 1.3 litres for petrol engines and 1.4 litres for diesel engines. The cars must also have fuel consumption of no more than five litres per 100 kilometres, meet Euro 4 emission standards or better and emit no more than 120 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre. The cars must also meet or exceed UNECE 94 and 95 safety standards.
If automakers did not have to follow the requirements for export, the lower production cost per unit would result in higher margins.
The manufacturers are also concerned that they might not be able to meet the BoI requirement that they produce 100,000 units within five years, so they asked if this target could be extended.
They are also seeking clarification on whether the special 17% excise tax imposed for engine imports would be applicable for all models of engines.
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