Hyundai says it will mass produce hybrid in 2009

[Caravan]

strange that nobody posts this:

SEOUL - SOUTH Korea's top car maker Hyundai Motor said on Sunday it would begin mass producing hybrid cars next year amid growing demand for fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.

 

The first mass produced model will be a compact sedan, known as 'Avante", the company said in a statement.

 

The hybrid models will then expand into mid-size vehicles in 2010, with fuel-cell cars also being produced in 2012, it said.

 

Hyundai has produced about 2,800 compact hybrid cars since 2004, largely for government agencies, while Japan's Toyota Motor has dominated the global hybrid car market.

 

Global demand for hybrid cars is rapidly growing, with 390,125 units sold in 2006 and 517,911 last year, Hyundai said, adding that the figure was likely to grow to 750,000 this year and more than a million by 2010. -- AFP

 

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/...ory_219716.html

[Kelpie]

It seems like Nissan and Mazda are behind the game.

 

Regards,

[Caravan]

Actually I have seen somewhere else that KIA already has a rio hybrid.

[Carlover76]

Yes, Kia has already a Hybrid Rio and Hyundai already mention that they will have Hybrid Avante by 2009.

[Iygnaug]

The hybrid Rio has been serving Korea's stat board for a few years already...i bet their technology should be quite mature by now....

[Rickster]

So far haven't heard of any special technology that Nissan came up with when it comes to enviromentally friendly cars.

 

Mazda already has the "Miller-cycle" engine used in the new mazda 2(JDM version) that gives FC about that of a hybrid car.

[Leepee]

Wait a minute.

Why would a manufacturer make cheap and affordable cars more expensive by adding hybrids?

 

I think the increase cost may not justify the fuel savings in Singapore 10 years lifespan and low mileage context.

 

Many of these hybrid cars only seems to work in America where car buyers want big engine cc and yet fuel efficiency and Save the Earth mentality

[Friendstar]

nissan's special technology is the GT-R lor hahahaha

[Friendstar]

singapore low mileage context?

 

we'r the highest mileage consumers

[Friendstar]

will it be a diesel electric hybrid?