BANGKOK, Oct 2 – The government’s plan to tax new vehicles based on their emission of carbon dioxide into the environment will have a severe impact on Thailand’s manufacturing of pick-up trucks, an automotive industrialist said Tuesday.
Piangjai Kaewsuwan, president of the Thai Automotive Industry Association, said auto manufacturers need 8-10 years for the production adjustment, and not only three years as stated by the government.
Three related ministries—industry, energy and finance—are working on the new excise tax structure and assessing manufacturers’feedback given a global trend on the use of environmentally-friendly vehicles.
She said manufacturers should be allowed sufficient time for the change and the production adjustment for pick-up vehicles will take longer than sedans.
If the government insists on imposing the new tax structure, Ms Piangjai said, auto manufacturers will naturally move ahead in accord with the state policy while some manufacturers have
mapped out their adjustment plans.
Thailand is the world’s No 1 manufacturer of pick-up trucks and this year’s total production will reach 2.3 million units.
