Japan's Nissan Motor Co on Friday kicked off production of its eco-car model, the Nissan March, in Thailand, targeting the domestic and regional markets, according to dpa. The new car is to be the first model on the market under Thailand's eco-car programme, which offers auto manufacturers tax incentives to produce energy-efficient vehicles in the kingdom. Besides Nissan, other auto manufacturers that have joined the programme include Japan's Toyota Motor Corp, Honda Motor Co, Mitsubishi Motor Corp and Suzuki Motor Corporation, and India's Tata Motors. Under the programme, manufacturers must comply with requirements for low fuel consumption and emissions as well as passenger safety standards set by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. "We're introducing a product that will have fewer CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions and less environmental impact," Nissan senior executive Toshiyuki Shiga said. He said Nissan would be producing the March for the Thai market and for export to other Asia-Pacific markets. Nissan already manufacturers the March model in China, India and Mexico. The model is known as the Micra in Europe. The newly developed March features a 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder engine with 120 grams of carbon dioxide emissions per kilometre. In Thailand the Nissan March is to be priced at 375,000 baht (10,600 dollars) to 537,000 baht (16,270 dollars), making it one of the cheapest cars on the market.
