Daimler Chrysler and Sanyo team up on Mercedes Benz hybrid cars

CBS MarketWatch reported yesterday that Sanyo Electric Co. has reached an agreement with DaimlerChrysler to produce batteries for Mercedes-Benz hybrid cars. No timeline was provided for when Mercedes hybrids would be available.

In the past, Sanyo has supplied batteries for Ford's Escape Hybrid vehicles, and will also be developing batteries for Honda's hybrid cars, such as the Accord hybrid which is due to hit dealerships in December.

The growing hybrid market

Aside from the Escape hybrid and Honda's Accord and Civic hybrids, several other new hybrids are also hitting the market. GM will be selling a few Chevy Silverados and GMC Sierras in selected markets - though both cars are only mild hybrids.

Toyota, the current leader in hybrid technology with its popular, Prius hybrid car, will be offering two new hybrid SUV's in the next couple of months. The Lexus RX400h and the Toyota Highlander are supposed to be hitting the markets soon.