Domestic sales of new vehicles will be a major factor in whether the Excise Department achieves this fiscal year’s revenue collection target of 496 billion baht, says the department’s chief. The department is keeping an eye on the rise in December’s new-car sales after consumers rushed to purchase before the new excise tax come into effect on Jan 1’director-general of the Excise Department Somchai Pulsawas said. The increase, which could portend a drop in future demand, will have an impact on domestic car sales later in the fiscal year. Excise tax imposed on car sales accounts for 20% of the department’s revenue collection.