Kuantan (Malaysia): The government should reduce taxes for hybrid cars to enable more people to buy these economical and environment-friendly vehicles, Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director and chief executive officer Atsushi Fujimoto said.
At the same time, he said incentives should be given to manufacturers and importers who brought hybrid models into the local market.
"If there's government assistance, it will be better for us as we can sell more hybrid cars," he said after launching the Macinda Auto Honda 3S centre here on Friday.
Honda Malaysia introduced a hybrid car last year, but without any incentive. The Civic Hybrid costs RM40,000 more than the two-litre petrol version.
International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said recently the duty structure for hybrid cars may be revised to attract global players to invest locally.
Fujimoto said despite its higher price, Honda Malaysia could still sell one or two Civic Hybrid cars monthly.
He also expressed confidence that the company would achieve its target of selling 35,000 units this year. It sold 16,769 units in the first six months of this year, 18 per cent more than the corresponding period last year.
Macinda Auto managing director Jonathan Kok Keng Fai said the centre in Semambu here was equipped with the latest facilities and could service 80 cars daily.
