Hyundai Motor Co. plans to launch a hybrid electric version of the Elantra sedan in 2009 in its home market of Korea. Unlike previously believed, however, the automaker will not have any assistance from its local government in the undertaking.
The automaker announced its plans back in March, which will have the Avante (the Elantra’s name in Korea) be the first hybrid produced by the South Korean company. The car, due to launch in 2009, will be powered by liquefied petroleum gas and electricity, sporting the LPI badge after the model name. In 2010, a gasoline liquefied petroleum version is expected, with larger vehicles on the cards for later. A fuel-cell electric car is planned for 2012, according to Automotive News.
The automaker isn’t unreasonably optimistic, hoping to sell 50,000 hybrids in 2011, provided it launches the vehicles in the U.S. by that time. So far, Hyundai ’s real-life hybrid experience was limited to nearly 3,000 hybrid versions of its Getz and Accent sub-compacts produced since 2004 sold to government fleets for testing.
