Thailand Automotive Institutes (TAI)’s director Vallop Tiasiri said he expects the country’s production of vehicle would reach 1.4 million units in 2010.

Mr. Vallop said almost half of the figure or approximated 630 thousand units would sell domestically and the rest 770 thousand units would be exported.

This figure would come from Nissan’s Eco Car project that expected to ship at least a fleet of 50,000 small cars to showroom worldwide.

With other five Eco Car projects of various automakers scheduled to launch this year, he said that Thailand would reach vehicle production target of 2 million units in the next 3-4 years.

“We would like see flow investment in the Eco Car project. We closely watch the Finance Ministry movement to address incentive measure with the Energy and Industry Ministries, as well as other incentive measures for other fuel-efficient vehicles such as hybrid car and electric car,” he said.

Mr. Vallop said the institute would be more than happy to cooperate with the three ministries on tax measures.

He said he would also like to see the government passed an incentive package for Toyota’s hybrid car project, which would persuade the other automakers to join the bandwagon.

Mr. Vallop said hybrid car could make a good option for urban city commuters due to its attractive mile per gallon record.