Harsh rules put brakes on eco-car project

Via Bangkok Post: Automakers are reluctant to join the eco-car project's second phase because some criteria are quite rigid, a seminar was told yesterday.

The areas they find inflexible involve capital and production conditions. "Convincing the five existing eco-car makers to join the new phase is not easy, as they have to launch products that not only meet the new specifications but also the new excise tax which is due to become effective in January 2016," said Piengjai Kaewsuwan, president of the Thai Automobile Industry Association and chairwoman of the Asean Automotive Federation.