The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association has proposed a compromise to the European Union for a self-imposed reduction target for carbon dioxide emissions from new passenger cars, JAMA officials said Thursday.

In a letter to the EU, JAMA said its members are voluntarily committed to achieving an an average emissions rate of 140 grams per km in passenger cars sold and locally manufactured in Europe by 2009.

This is 30 percent lower than average carbon dioxide emissions of JAMA member vehicles produced in 1995, according to the association.

"We hope that the EU will approve our proposal as a compromise," said Yoshifumi Tsuji, chairman of JAMA and adviser to Nissan Motor Co. "We will catch up to the level of European cars."

In negotiations that started last October, the EU demanded that JAMA set a target equivalent to that of the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

Last year, the ACEA agreed with the EU to achieve emissions rates of 140 grams per km by 2008, a 25 percent cut from 1995 levels, according to JAMA.

In the proposal, JAMA also suggested an interim emissions target of 165 to 175 grams per km by 2003, though association officials said achieving this was not a requirement.

JAMA also proposed joint monitoring with the EU to evaluate whether the proposed commitment is observed.