Chinese plug-in hybrid on sale in 2008

To debut at 2008 Detroit Auto Show

Last year's North American International Auto Show was highlighted by the debut of GM's Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid concept.

A plug-in hybrid vehicle might also steal this year's show.

The BYD Automobile Company is a subsidiary of one of the largest cell-phone battery makers, and it plans to start selling the F6 plug-in hybrid sedan by the second half of 2008 according to Edmunds.

While this plug-in hybrid won't be as sophisticated as the Chevy Volt, it will hit the market sooner and will cost far less because it will utilize iron-based batteries, rather than lithium-ion batteries.

"The F6DM reportedly can be driven about 60 miles in electric mode and nearly 270 miles by using the gasoline engine as a generator to charge the battery pack. Top speed is 100 mph. BYD said the batteries can be recharged to 70 percent of capacity in just 10 minutes."

Already, Japan is kicking America's ass in NiMH-based hybrid vehicles. Is China gonna kick America's ass in the next of evolution of hybrid technology with its plug-in hybrid vehicles?