Hybrid race intensifies

Carmakers are scrambling to perfect hybrid technologies in a bid to outpace each other in a highly competitive market. In Japan, Nissan Motor Co. geared up efforts to develop its first hybrid vehicle, slated for launch in fiscal 2010. In a bid to gain ground on market leaders Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co., Nissan said it is betting on a hybrid system for rear-wheel-drive vehicles, while Mitsubishi Motors Corp. claimed it is working on a hybrid system based on its electric car technology. According to media reports, however, smaller companies are hindered by the cost of development, as it costs tens of billions of yen to build a plant to make batteries for hybrids, develop motor and electronic control systems from scratch and hire engineers. In South Korea, automakers have also intensified efforts to develop hybrid cars. In April, Hyundai Motor Co. unveiled its Avante LPI, which boasts of a unique hybrid system, which is also powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The Avante will be for sale in July in the country. Hyundai affiliate Kia Motors Corp. also said it would releaset he Forte LPI hybrid, which is fitted with the Avant’s system, in August. Hyundai aims to begin mass-producing a gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid by 2012. (March 23/ April 13, 2009)