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South Korean Ministry of Envisonment Demands Hybrid Cars February 2005South Korean vehicle manufacturers will be required to sell a total 27,000 low-emission vehicles by the end of the year, the Ministry of Environment said Monday.It said the new guideline applies to both domestic and foreign automotive firms in Seoul and its surrounding region. "The sale of more low-emission cars is expected to reduce the total volume of harmful gases emitted into the atmosphere in the Seoul region by 1,600 tons this year," a ministry spokesman said. He said the effort is part of the ongoing process to improve the air quality in Seoul and its surrounding region that is home to nearly half of South Korea's 48 million people. Electric, hybrid-engined and other eco-friendly vehicles that produce less toxic and greenhouse gases will qualify as low-emission vehicles. Vehicle manufacturers subject to the new rule are Hyundai Motor Co., Kia Motors Corp., Renault Samsung Motors, GM Daewoo, Ssangyong Motor Co., Daewoo Bus Corp., Tata Daewoo Commercial Vehicle Co., and Scania. The eight firms are required to submit their plans on how they expect to increase sales of low-emission vehicles within three months. A combined sales quota of 25,937 passenger and freight vehicles meeting low emission standards must be met by the vehicle manufacturers. This is estimated to be equivalent to 4.3 percent of vehicle sales for the region in 2005. A total 1,437 units or 33.8 percent of buses sold in the greater metropolitan area are also required to meet the green-vehicle standard, the ministry said. It also said vehicle manufacturers that exceed their quota this year will have their obligatory quota for next year reduced correspondingly. | ||
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