Hyundai urges China to cut tax on hybrid car

Shanghai, November 27 (Gasgoo.com) Hyundai Motor has suggested the Chinese government to introduce substantial tax concessions to encourage purchases of low-emission vehicles such as hybrids, reports South China Morning Post.

The company's senior executive vice-president, Yang Woong-chul, told the newspaper on Wednesday that Hyundai will look to bring its own hybrid vehicles in China should the central government offer some support for the technology.

He added Hyundai's hybrid vehicles will be ready by 2010 and the company will start selling the product in the North American market because countries like the United States and Japan give tax benefits for hybrids.

Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai will first launch its Elantra hybrid in Korea in July next year, followed by a gasoline-electric hybrid Sonata in 2010 that will be sold outside South Korea, including China.

Global automakers such as GM and Nissan are lobbying the Chinese government to give tax breaks for new energy vehicles as the government expresses its intention to tackle environmental issues and cut oil consumption.