Hyundai plans to sell hybrid in U.S. in 2010

If U.S. consumers can wait, 2010 could be the year of the lithium ion-powered hybrid car.

South Korean automaker Hyundai said it will likely begin selling a gas-electric hybrid Sonata sedan with a lithium ion battery in the United States in 2010.

That's the same timeframe cited by General Motors for its plug-in Chevrolet Volt hybrid, also powered by lithium ion batteries
Hyundai officials are giving few details but say the model will not be a plug-in hybrid. The company promised to show a prototype and announce a release date at November's Los Angeles Auto Show.

Korean battery maker LG Chem will supply the lithium ion batteries. LG Chem is competing with Continental AG and A123 Systems to supply GM's batteries.

The announcement makes Hyundai the fourth major automaker to jump into the hybrid market in the U.S. Toyota and Honda already sell several gas-electric hybrid models powered by nickel-metal hydride batteries. Hyundai has previously announced plans to begin selling a hybrid version of its compact sedan Avante, but that vehicle won't be sold in the U.S. (see Hyundai to start mass producing hybrids in 2009).

Meanwhile, San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla Motors says it will ramp up production of its lithium ion-powered plug-in roadsters by mid-September.

Tesla CEO Ze'ev Drori said in a blog posting recenlty that the company had 27 roadsters in various stages of assembly but will produce more than 100 cars a month by December.

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