Tuesday, September 30, 2008

2010: Hyundai hybrids finally come to US

Will be Hyundai's first full hybrid

In 2010, Hyundai will finally begin selling hybrid cars in the US. The Hyundai Sonata is scheduled to be the first hybrid to hit US shores.

More interesting, Hyundai plans to sell the Sonata hybrid as a lithium-powered hybrid vehicle that should increase fuel economy by 70 percent. LG Chem will provide the batteries.

Hyundai plans to sell 50,000 Sonata hybrids in the first year, but the automaker wants to quickly ramp up hybrid production to 500,000 hybrids - including other hybrid models - per year by 2018 according to AutoWeek.

Labels: , ,

7 Comments:

Blogger Jabroni said...

Ahhhh, there it is, that magical year, 2010!!

This is really a hybrid car that makes sense! An increase of 70% in fuel efficiency is what EVERY automakers goal should be. Of course, will I be able to get a car loan then? :)

9:11 AM  
Blogger LB said...

According to my experience Korean car suck regarding fuel efficiency. Recently I was driving almost new Kia Rio (5,000 miles) for a day, mostly on a slightly congested highway. I could not believe that it consumed so much fuel. I didn't measure it exactly, but it seemed to be only slightly more than 20 mpg. I wonder if these cars really met 20/30mpg expectations.

9:35 AM  
Blogger Dahcredyns said...

car loan? no kidding. without the Wall Street bailout, the US auto industry is done.

i don't have much experience with hyundai vehicles, but i'm glad to hear them take such an aggressive stance.

10:36 AM  
Blogger Indigo said...

Indigo Incarnates

I could have sworn I read that the Hyndai/Kia hybrid system was going to be a power-assist like Honda's IMA. But hey, it could operate on Earth Magic for all I care so long as it gets good gas mileage!

5:57 AM  
Blogger Dahcredyns said...

i've reported that here in the past, and that's true for the Elantra hybrid, but it isn't clear whether that vehicle will ever make it to the states.

the sonata hybrid will make it to the states and that will be a full hybrid with a lithium battery.

8:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

5-9-09
According to HYUNDAI official news site, in late 2009 they will be shipping to USA both hybrid ELANTRA as well as hybrid ACCENT .....I dont believe it either but if TRUE and its expected mileage is 35/48 or so, Im buying one !

8:06 PM  
Blogger Dahcredyns said...

It's possible. If they launch as 2010 models, then you would expect them in late 2009.

10:24 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home