Hybrid car price to be dropped! Civic hybrid? Toyota Prius? Gen2 hybrid?

Yes, in yesterday Malaysia's 2009 budget presentation, our prime minister reveal some good news for us.

One of the biggest best news that benefited the motoring industries is the waive of import tax on hybrid vehicle! Only 50% local tax will be imposed on those vehicle. This applicable to hybrid vehicle imported by franchise holder with engine capacity lower than 2000c.c.

This tax reduction effective from 1st September 2008 to 31st December 2010. After that, government are expecting the production of hybrid vehicle to be CKD in Malaysia.



Currently, the only hybrid vehicle available in Malaysia is the Honda Civic Hybrid. It is powered by a 1.3 litter gasoline engine and also an electric motor. The price currently are RM162,800. While in Langkawi, the Civic hybrid is sold at only RM100,800!

With the waived of import tax, may be we could get the Civic hybrid at same price as Civic 1.8 model? Let's wait Honda's announcement for it.

The waive of import tax on hybrid vehicle will definitely increase the hybrid vehicle sales in our country! Imagine if both normal Civic and Civic hybrid sold at same price, which one you will go for?

Both produce same power output while Civic hybrid consume lesser fuel than normal Civic! I bet everyone will definitely opt for Civic hybrid to reduce petrol bills! The Civic will able to run 31km with 1 litter of fuel!



In general, hybrid vehicle will consist of a normal gasoline engine and supported by an electric motor to boost the output. The emission level of the hybrid vehicle will be minimal and the petrol usage are 50% lesser.

With this move, i believe other car manufacturer also will consider importing hybrid vehicle into our country. I believe UMW Toyota Malaysia will now consider import the Toyota Prius hybrid into our country. Anyone can guess how much is Toyota Prius will be sold if it is here in Malaysia?



This also post a threat for Proton to come out with hybrid vehicle as soon as posible to remain competitive! Currently, Proton already developed Proton Gen 2 Eve which is a hybrid vehicle. Now its only matter of time when Proton will able to make the hybrid vehicle to be ready for sale. I believe it should be fast through the help of its subsidiary, Lotus.







So in conclusion, the tax waival of hybrid vehicle will definitely benefit the consumer as now we could get the hybrid vehicle which consume lesser petrol at a lower price. It will also help in improving the air quality in our city. Perhaps one day when all car are hybrid vehicle, sure the KL air will be cleaner.

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