Quickie: Crush Gas Guzzlers | 68 comments (68 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

The Chinese started doing this in 2006 (none / 0)

a siegel: I've long believed that property tax on vehicles should be, in part at least, based on fuel efficiency/engine size to help lower that long term demand.

China to raise car tax to spur fuel efficiency
(Bloomberg)
Updated: 2006-03-22 17:31

China will adjust its tax rates on automobiles, motorcycles and rubber tires. China's government said it will adjust its tax rates on automobiles, motorcycles and rubber tires to encourage the use of vehicles with smaller engines that burn less fuel.
Beginning on April 1, the top tax rate for automobiles will be raised to 20 percent from 8 percent for vehicles with engine displacements larger than 2 liters, according to a statement posted on the Ministry of Finance's Web site.
The government of the world's third-largest vehicle market is trying to encourage consumers to choose cars with smaller engines to cut fuel consumption as rising incomes and falling car prices make cars affordable to more people. Individual vehicle ownership more than doubled to 13.65 million units in 2004 from 6.25 million in 2000, according to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

... all progress depends on the unreasonable mensch.
(apologies to G.B. Shaw)

by marco on Fri Jun 20th, 2008 at 05:12:43 AM EST
[ Parent ]

2 liters is huge (none / 1)

My Espace (a large family MPV) has a 4-cylinder 2l engine. It's a big engine by any standard.

In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes

by Jerome a Paris (etg@eurotrib.com) on Sat Jun 21st, 2008 at 06:26:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: 2 liters is huge (none / 0)

Jerome a Paris: My Espace (a large family MPV) has a 4-cylinder 2l engine. It's a big engine by any standard.

Thanks for the reality check:

Lawmakers lobbying Chinese govt for small car incentives? at China Car Times

Lawmakers in Beijing appear to be lobbying the government to introduce incentives to further the small car market in China. Last year just over 700,000 small cars (i.e. cars with engines less than 1.3l) were sold in China, which accounted for only 11.6% of total vehicle sales in China. High gasoline prices, and worsening air pollution seems to be the major factor in pushing for incentives to ignite the small car market. The sales of small displacement cars in China did actually fall in 2007, whilst larger sedan sales rose. Furthermore, Chinese consumers only bought 250,000 vehicles in 2007 that had a displacement of less than 1000cc. The lobbying lawmakers are asking the central government to lower, or cancel sales taxes on small displacement vehicles, make road tax cheaper and perhaps even introduce free parking zones for super mini drivers.

... all progress depends on the unreasonable mensch.
(apologies to G.B. Shaw)

by marco on Sat Jun 21st, 2008 at 09:25:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Quickie: Crush Gas Guzzlers | 68 comments (68 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)