Geely Intros Dual Fuel Vehicles, Plans EVs and FCVs By Year End

Geely's Chinese holding group will begin mass production of methanol vehicles and vehicles that can burn either methanol or gasoline by the end of 2008. The first dual-fuel model, the Maple Haifeng sedan consumes less than 60 percent of the fuel of its single-fuel counterpart. The dual-fuel Haifeng has a 1.5L, 4-cylinder 75-hp engine. Geely showed off 23 vehiclesat the Beijing Auto Show this year, including several dual-fuel concept vehicles.

In addition, Geely plans to release a natural gas hybrid vehicle that can cut gasoline consumption by more than 50 percent. Geely's long-term plans call for the development of five hybrid sedans, all-electric and all-hydrogen vehicles. Under Chinese mandates, alternative energy vehicles will account for 10 percent of the total new vehicle production in China by 2012. Currently, only the Shanghai Buick LaCrosse Hybrid, the Toyota Prius and the Chang'an Jiexun sedan are classified as "clean" vehicles in China.

Source: Edmunds Inside Line
Photo: Geely