Hyundai and Kia working on Hybrid

By Park Hyong-ki

Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors will start producing a limited number of hybrid automobiles exclusively for the government of Korea early next year.

The government and the auto industry are about to complete their testing and researching of gasoline-electric cars this month, as part of the first phase of launching the vehicle in Korea.

The government and industry began researching and developing the hybrid in 2004,

In phase two, the government will further subsidize Hyundai and Kia, Korea’s two largest automakers, to develop and manufacture models on a small scale until 2008.

Under the plan, Hyundai Motor will produce the Verna, while Kia Motors will make the Pride, both subcompact hybrid sedans.