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In the January 11, 2006 issue of USA Today, Malcolm Bricklin is quoted as saying that "the government just put $279 million into helping Chinese automakers develop gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles."
Though the sum is paltry, that's good news.
But the bad news is pointed out by a Toyota executive vice president who bemoans the poor reception of the Prius in China:
"There's no incentive, monetary or social" (to driving a hybrid vehicle), said Yoshimi Inaba, Toyota's top executive in China, during an interview at the Beijing auto show.
The Chinese consumer is currently motivated largely by status, prestige, face, convenience, etc. but that needs to change. The government can and should find ways to be creative in providing the kind of incentives that can promote alternative energy vehicles. It needs to go beyond just the "863 Plan" of hybrid vehicle development.
Chang'an, BYD, Geely Maple, Dongfeng, Tongji University and others are already taking the initiative in developing Chinese hybrid vehicles.
Though the sum is paltry, that's good news.
But the bad news is pointed out by a Toyota executive vice president who bemoans the poor reception of the Prius in China:
"There's no incentive, monetary or social" (to driving a hybrid vehicle), said Yoshimi Inaba, Toyota's top executive in China, during an interview at the Beijing auto show.
The Chinese consumer is currently motivated largely by status, prestige, face, convenience, etc. but that needs to change. The government can and should find ways to be creative in providing the kind of incentives that can promote alternative energy vehicles. It needs to go beyond just the "863 Plan" of hybrid vehicle development.
Chang'an, BYD, Geely Maple, Dongfeng, Tongji University and others are already taking the initiative in developing Chinese hybrid vehicles.
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