Hyundai launches its first hybrid Elantra LPI on market in South Korea

The Hyundai Elantra LPI is the company's first hybrid effort.

Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's top carmaker, this week launched its first hybrid car in the domestic market to satisfy a growing appetite for fuel-saving vehicles and to improve the image of the company's technology.

Hyundai, the world's No. 5 carmaker along with affiliate Kia Motors Corp., started selling the elantra lPi, a hybrid model of its popular compact sedan that uses liquefied petroleum gas (lPG) and lithium-ion polymer batteries.

"the lPi will show Hyundai has hybrid technology and help improve its image," said Kang Sang-min, an auto analyst at tong Yang Securities.

the hybrid arrived at showrooms amid worries Hyundai could lose out if such cars gained in popularity in the united States, with toyota and Honda, pushing the technology into the mainstream with low-priced gasoline-electric models.

Hyundai is due to launch its first gasoline-electric hybrid, a version of the flagship Sonata in the latter half of 2010.

the elantra lPi can travel 17.8 kilometres on one litre of lPG or 38.5 kilometres for the price of one litre of gasoline in South Korea, Hyundai said.

in addition, the hybrid emits 99 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre, meeting California's Super ultra low emission Vehicle standard. Hyundai aims to sell 7,500 units of the hybrid this year in South Korea. it does not have immediate plans for exports.