The current and future market
Current Electric car sales are approximately 5000 per year, out of a total motor vehicle market of 1,000,000 cars nationwide. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced that the Federal Government will allocate $35 million from its Green Car Innovation Fund to support the move.
Toyota will produce 10,000 Electric Camry models each year starting 2010. This is partially funded by Rudds $35m plan, which will bring employment to Victoria in the form of a manufacturing factory, as well as spark growth in the hybrid car industry in Australia. This plan and Toyota’s commitment will mean at a minimum the hybrid vehicle market is set to grow by 200% by 2010, from 0.5% to 1.5%, more if other car companies follow suit and up their production levels.
That [Production levels] could also rise rapidly if the car proves a hit with Australians, who may be tempted to trade in popular sedans for the economical and environmentally friendly hybrid.
Impediments to the Market
Hybrid Camrys produced in Japan and the US cost about 14 per cent more than a standard four-cylinder Camry. A similar margin in Australia would add $4000 to the price of a basic Camry, edging it up to $32,500.
The higher comparative prices of Hybrids means consumers will need to be both environmentally conscious as well as financially secure to purchase a hybrid under current market conditions.
This poses both an impediment and an opportunity to financial organizations like Intech, the initial price difference may be enough to deter a large portion of the market, but since the problem is largely financial, Intech and other financial institutions can bridge this gap by offering unique financial incentives that counter the price difference.
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