Hyundai launches Elantra hybrid

Hyundai Motor Co. plans to launch a hybrid version of the Elantra sedan next year in Korea. The Avante, Elantra’s name in Korea, will be the first hybrid vehicle to be produced, the company said. Liquefied petroleum gas is an inexpensive fuel used in China, Australia and some European countries, such as Italy. The Avante will use lithium ion batteries, which are lighter and more powerful than nickel-metal hybrid batteries currently used in the Toyota Prius hybrid. Hyundai predicts hybrid sales of at least 50,000 in the first full year of sales in Korea. So far, only next year’s domestic launch has been announced. Plans also are in the works for a fuel cell car to be launched in 2012. Since 2004, Hyundai has supplied about 3,000 hybrid versions of its Getz and Accent small cars to government fleets, as part of a testing program. (June 23/July 10, 2008)