Toyota urges Thailand to keep exemptions for alternative-fuel vehicles

Toyota Motor Thailand (TMT) has urged the Thai government to maintain its exemptions on alternative-fuel vehicles, reports the Bangkok Post. Company Vice Chairman Ninnart Chaithirapinyo said that, “I do not know if the [Thai] government will review the tax system [on alternative-fuel vehicles], but any attempts at revision will affect automakers that have already invested in these types of vehicles.” Vichien Emprasertsuk, senior vice-president of TMT, has stated that the company has already factored the excise tax exemption into the prices of its Camry Hybrid model in the country, which sells for between 1.6 million baht (US$48,750.99) and 1.8 million baht (US$54,844.87). (January 21, 2010)