A Kia hybrid closer to reality?

A Kia Forte hybrid

Kia is ramping up plans to begin selling the Kia hybrid in Korea.

The Kia Forte hybrid is built on the same liquid petroleum injected, lithium hybrid technology as Hyundai's recently launched Elantra hybrid. While none of these liquid petroleum injected hybrid vehicles will make it to America, Hyundai will sell the Sonata hybrid in America starting next year.

And if Kia hybrids follow the same roll out path as Hyundai hybrids, can a Kia hybrid for America be very far behind?

Kia to sell lithium hybrid in August

Only in Korea, however

In August Kia will begin to sell the Forte hybrid. Using a lithium polymer battery, instead of a NiMH battery, the Forte hybrid will offer 112 hp according to MotorTrend. According to Kia, the Forte will be the first production vehicle ever to use such batteries.

No further information on if or when such a vehicle might find its way to the US.