Hyundai will delay launch of ’green’” cars

South Korea carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. said although the company’s hybrid technology is ready, it will not launch its “green” cars just yet, until the market has recovered from a severe downturn. “Our [environmental] technology [for the company’s future hybrid models] is ready. But the problem is money and infrastructure,” said Lee Hyun-soon, head of research and development (R&D) activity at Hyundai. He added that since sales of hybrid vehicles account for around only 1% of global car sales, the company is also taking steps to improve the fuel efficiency of its gasoline (petrol) models by 25% and its diesel vehicles by 15% by 2015. (April 16, 2009)