France Intends to Give Help to Domestic Green Car Industry

French Industry Minister Arnaud Montebourg issued a statement on Wednesday saying that the country plans to give strong subsidies on low emissions vehicles to provide support to the French auto industry and dealers. The plan's goal is to make low emissions cars 25% of the French car market. 

Under the new plan electric car buyers will get a €7,000 discount, compared to a €5,000 discount currently, and the new plan will give hybrids a €4,000 discount, up from €2,000 currently. 

The hope is that French buyers will buy French cars with the deeper discounts. RenaultRenaultFrance, 1898 > present189 models
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has a strong offering of electric cars, and PSA PeugeotPeugeotFrance, 1882 > present120 models
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-CitroënCitroënFrance, 1919 > present94 models
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produces several hybrids. Still these discounts do not single out French cars, and there is nothing keeping buyers from purchasing foreign makes. 

Montebourg will ask the government to pressure the EU to rethink the free trade agreement with South Korea because it appears to be benefiting Korea more than the EU. 

Source: Auto Motor und Sport