Japan reportedly pondering $3,000 green car stimulus program for consumers
2010 Toyota Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery
The U.S. automotive market is in a rut the size of the Grand Canyon, but it's not alone. Most nations are experiencing lackluster sales, and the Japanese car market is experiencing its own free fall. As a direct result, Reuters is reporting that government authorities are looking at steps to help its domestic industry with a range of consumer subsidies for the purchase of efficient vehicles. Up to 300,000 yen ($3,000 US) in breaks are available for buyers of electric or hybrid vehicles, along with gas and diesel engines that reach certain clean air and efficiency standards.
Among the monetary incentives on the table is a 100,000 yen ($1,000 U.S.) subsidy for the purchase of a kei-class mini vehicle with a 660 cc or smaller powerplant. Larger vehicles that qualify under the plan would receive twice that amount. Car buyers in the Land of the Rising Sun would also eligible to receive an additional 100,000 yen if they turn in a 13-year-old (or older) vehicle for a vehicle that applies under the plan. Japanese officials are reportedly looking to institute the subsidies by summertime, with the assistance available through March 2010. The initiative will reportedly be announced as part of a larger Japanese stimulus package later this April.
Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
xcrunk 10:14AM (4/07/2009)
When is Toyota going to have news on the U.S. release of this vehicle? Pricing, availability, colors, option packages....would be nice to know.
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the_MVP_X 10:44AM (4/07/2009)
Huh, only Toyota and Honda have "green" cars right now, that's not fair for the orher automakers.I doubt that GM sells Hybrid suv's in Japan.
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Swede 10:58AM (4/07/2009)
Que?
Harrison 7:35PM (4/07/2009)
I'm pretty sure you can import one.
nardvark 11:45AM (4/07/2009)
None of the American automakers have much market share in Japan. Whether it's trade practices, cultural bias, or crappy marketing, I don't know, but I'm sure everyone who posts here has a theory.
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Ken 12:07PM (4/07/2009)
I'll evoke the racial issue before anyone else can, stupid Japanese can't drive on the correct side of the road... living on their tiny island.... Crap, I hate the Brits and Aussies now too.
:)
jc 12:44PM (4/07/2009)
So Rush Limbaugh was right ,they're not selling without incentives and tax deductions.
Ther Ya go.
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toronado455 1:57PM (4/07/2009)
When I first read "Japan reportedly pondering $3,000 green car" I thought, oh something to compete with the Nano... then I read the rest of the line... oh it's a $3,000 STIMULUS. Not a $3,000 car.
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Derek 2:43PM (4/07/2009)
Am I the only one tired of governments taking the people's money, only to give it to people who most likely have the bad habit of buying new things, and driving consumers further into debt?
Where are the people telling us to save our money? To invest wisely? To minimize frivolous spending? I certainly don't hear any of this on the news. I hear fear, doubt, uncertainty, and some insane logic that the only way to get out of this mess is to spend more. Spend more and more and more. And then spend some more. Don't believe me? Ask Obama what his projected deficit will be for the next few years.
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