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Hybrid vehicles gaining popularity
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More capital is flowing into China's new energy vehicle market. Guangzhou Toyota has announced its production and sales plan for 2010, saying it will focus on hybrid vehicles.
A smaller Chinese company in Yangzhou city is also tapping in, and is busy coping with increased orders for hybrids.
Guangzhou Toyota announced it will produce and sell 267 thousand vehicles next year, and launch its new hydrid electric Camry. Other companies are also tapping into the growing popularity of new energy vehicles.
The typical hybrid vehicle consumes between 10 to 20 kilowatts per hour for every 150 kilometers. That's less than one third the cost of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine. The hybrid also needs only 15 minutes to charge 80 percent of its battery. Car makers are holding high expectations for energy efficient vehicles.
Feng Xingya, Executive Deputy Manager, Guangzhou TOYOTA, said, The hydrid electric Camry sells well in the US. Toyota sells about 5 thousand units per month. And we hope it will also sell well in China.
Toyota is not alone in developing new energy vehicles. Yangzhou's KESM Electric Appliance Technology is speeding up production. Their new hydrid was given a warm welcome at Copenhagen's environment-friendly auto show.
It takes only five seconds for this car to accelerate to a speed of 30 Kilometers per hour. The car is equipped with electric rearview mirrors, electric windows, and a fully convertible roof. Most important, this vehicle has passed many European tests and regulations.
Li Shunxiang, Chairman of YZ KESM Electric Appliance Technology, said, "We've gotten EEC approval, which is recognized in 27 European countries. However we need to improve our technology when starting large scaled production."
The 400-kilogram car can go 120 kilometers on only a 9 hour charge. It sells for between 6000 to 9000 US dollars in Europe. After the Copenhagen Conference, a European customer ordered 5000 vehicles, but the company can only produce 2000 units a year. Now KESM is working to enlarge its production capacity, and is seeking cooperation to help with its increasing orders.
