Hyundai Will Bring Avante Hybrid To Market In Mid-2009
Hyundai plans to begin mass production of a hybrid passenger car that uses the Avante badge. The hybrid Avante will be available to consumers by mid-2009. The Korean automaker also plans to introduce a mid-size hybrid Sonata model in 2010 and a fuel-cell model by 2012. Hyundai currently offers a single hybrid model, the Verna/Accent, which is available only to government agencies as part of a pilot program. Kia, is also planning gas-electric versions of the Borrego SUV and the Optima sedan. Those models will hit the showrooms in 2010.
In a bid to reduce vehicle emissions, the Avante hybrid will run on liquefied petroleum gas and will incorporate an electric motor. LPG is about one-half the cost of gasoline and the hybrid Avante is expected to consume about 30 percent of the fuel used by the conventional gasoline-powered Avante.
The availability of LPG was a factor in the company’s decision to release the LPG hybrid prior to issuing a gasoline-electric vehicle. The company expects to produce up to 20,0000 LPG hybrid units by 2010 and has established an aggressive production target of 300,000 units by 2015. The company also wants to be the first manufacturer to establish an LPG hybrid in its home market to take advantage of government subsidies and to establish a leadership position in the sale of hybrid vehicles.
Hyundai plans to price the Avante below the Toyota Prius in hopes of attracting more buyers. The company’s planned fuel-cell vehicle will also be priced lower than competing models. The company will commercialize the j-Blue crossover concept it developed at its technical center in Chiba, Japan and debuted at the Frankfort Auto Show earlier this year.
By the time the j-Blue reaches the market, it will be competing with Mercedes-Benz’ hydrogen fuel cell vehicle which will hit the market in 2010, and the Honda FCX Clarity, which is expected in dealerships later this year.
March 31, 2008 - by Hybrid Car Chat · Filed Under Hybrid Cars |
