Asked when Hyundai would launch a plug-in hybrid, the South Korean automaker's chief technology officer Lee Hyun-soon replied it would be "possible after 2013."
Lee made the remark during a government-arranged event that brought together domestic companies such as LG Chem Ltd. (KSE:051910) and SK Energy Co. (KSE:096770) to sign a memorandum of understanding to develop battery technology for the next-generation hybrids.
"Currently, Japan is far ahead in regards to battery technology, but the technology gap isn't so wide," Lee said.
"I think we can catch up by 2013," he added.
Hyundai, which forms the world's sixth-largest automaker with its affiliate Kia Motors Corp. (KSE:000270), does not currently offer commercial hybrid vehicles.
Hyundai did say recently it would begin selling a gas-electric hybrid version of its Sonanta sedan in the United States by 2010.
(Yonhap)

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