Business trend:
The Japanese government will offer
subsidies to companies and local governments that introduce very small vehicles
beginning in fiscal 2013. The small vehicle is defined as a vehicle smaller
than the light car that has an engine displacement of 660 cc. It will select
100 projects that promote sightseeing and home visit medical care in three
years and pay half of the purchase cost of very small vehicles, each of which
is estimated to cost between 500,000 and 1,000,000 yen. The number of very
small vehicles subject to the subsidization is estimated more than 3,000 units
in three years.
Very small vehicles are mostly one- or two-seaters.
They are for the elderly and sightseers. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,Transport and Tourism will establish a system to certify a very small vehicle
as a vehicle that can be driven on the public road this autumn, and establish a
new vehicle classification for very small vehicles in 2015. Toyota already
launched Coms for 660,000 yen. Other automakers are expected to follow Toyota. The
Japanese government’s initiative to promote an environment-conscious society
will stimulate the auto industry.
Toyota unveils its very small car Coms.
