When
will the Kia Rio hybrid hit America, 2009?
Monday,
May 21, 2007
Maybe
in 2009?
This morning AutoblogGreen posted an article about the Kia
Rio hybrid coming to the U.S. in 2009. However, is
that actually true?
Around 2009 Hyundai is supposed to develop a full
production line of Rio hybrids, however, Kia has not
announced how many vehicles will be built, nor in which
markets the new hybrid will be sold.
While it's natural to assume that the hybrid will make it
to the states, I wouldn't expect any before 2010.
Furthermore, I doubt many of these mild hybrids will ever
make it to the States.
Hyundai has announced that when lithium-ion batteries are
cost-effectively integrated into automobiles, then hybrid
cars become the future. Thus, I'm sure a full hybrid
powertrain will quickly replace the mild hybrid powertrain
currently slated to power the Rio hybrid.
Then, again, I'm just assuming.
posted by Dahcredyns at
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