JAPANESE AUTOMAKERS ENCOURAGED TO EXPLORE MALAYSIAN HYBRID CAR MARKET POTENTIAL

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- Japanese automakers should explore the the hybrid car market potential in Malaysia, said International Trade and Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said in the Budget 2009, the government had proposed a 100 percent
exemption of import duty and a 50 percent exemption of the excise duty on new
completely built-up units (CBU)), of hybrid cars.

"What we hope now is for the Japanese automakers to explore the hybrid car
market potential in Malaysia. We want them to consider Malaysia as a production
base for hybrid engines in the future," he told reporters after delivering the
keynote address at the Malaysia-Japan Business Forum here today.

Muhyiddin said Malaysia was keen to learn hybrid technology from Japanese
automakers.

He said, during his trade and investment mission to Japan in July this
year, he had met the top management of Toyota and Honda to discuss the
matter.

"We are offering Malaysia as a first choice destination for Toyota and
Honda to expand to. We are even prepared to discuss with them any customised
incentive that they might want to propose.

"I think the future of hybrid cars, electric cars or anything that is
energy efficient is rather bright, and we want to be part of the industry as
well," he said.