Nearly 1.2m tap first car scheme rebate
Play
At least 1.1 million people have applied for tax rebates under the government's first-car programme, and the number is expected to reach 1.2 million before December 31 when the scheme ends.
With some 1.1 million first-car buyers applying for a maximum rebate of Bt100,000 each, about Bt73 billion in rebates will be disbursed, according to the Excise Department.
Somchai Poolsavadi, director-general of the department, said he expected the number of applications to reach 1.2 million by the end of the programme.
In response to Honda’s complaint that the Excise Department had allowed Toyota’s Vios to be eligible for the scheme after minor changes to the model although it has not been manufactured and marketed yet, Somchai said Toyota had met the eligibility requirements.
“Toyota has met the requirements of the first-car scheme and the Excise Department has given approval with transparency. There is no preferential treatment for any carmaker.”
Regarding the restructuring of excise tax for cars based on carbon-dioxide emission, Somchai said it was proper to give a grace period of three years to carmakers to adjust to the new requirements.
