Manufacturers General Motors (GM) and DaimlerChrysler have decided to invest in the hybrid car market in order to catch up with their Japanese competitor Toyota. The latter's Prius model, a vehicle that runs on gasoline and electricity, has won over the American public. Fifty-four thousand units have been sold this year in the United States and 100000 are expected to be next year. Some specialists also predict a progression
significant market share for this type of automobile, which could drop from less than 1% at present to 5 to 15% in 2020.

To respond to this enthusiasm, GM and DaimlerChrysler have therefore entered into an alliance aimed at developing, for a few hundred million dollars, a hybrid engine that they hope to be able to market from 2007. This new engine should allow fuel savings of d 'approximately 25%, both on motorways and in town, and fit all types of models, from private cars to vans and vans.

 CT 14 / 12 / 04 (GM, DaimlerChrysler teaming up on hybrid)http://www.chicagotribune.com/