Among the plans of Ford to enhance its car product line is to build on electric, hybrid and plug-in cars in the next couple of years and their first electric car is targeted to be finished and released by 2011 in North America.

This was barred by Ford in the wake of the shift in attention towards battery-powered vehicles. They have set a modest sales target of 5,000 to 10,000 units for the urban market and Ford is determined to cement its place towards providing ideal transportation choices for motorists today.

Ford, the No. 2 U.S.-based automaker, said it was working with auto parts supplier Magna International (MGa.TO) to bring a small battery-powered car to market in North America in 2011, using a lithium-ion battery, with a range of up to 100 miles per charge.

(Source) Reuters

Tags: battery powered car, battery powered vehicles, Cars, electric car, Ford, hybrid, lithium, lithium ion battery, magna international, north america

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Toyota seems to be readying its plans to expand its line of hybrid cars. The Japan-based auto manufacturer has revealed plans to sell a tiny, battery-powered car in the U.S. by 2012. The Toyota FT-EV concept car can be recharged at various electrical outlets.

From the looks of it, Toyota is not about to let General Motors leave them behind. And with the growing demand for new electric and hybrid cars still in the air, Toyota will be using these factors to come up with great concept cars that can run on alternative sources of energy.

Toyota is readying the FT-EV as alternatives to gasoline expand. They range from plug-ins, including a version of Toyota’s Prius and GM’s Volt, to electric cars from Nissan Motor Co., Tesla Motors Inc. and Fisker Automotive Inc. Gasoline prices, which set a record in the U.S. last year, and pressure from governments to trim carbon dioxide emissions, are driving demand.

(Source) Bloomberg.com

Tags: alternative sources of energy, alternatives to gasoline, auto manufacturer, battery powered car, carbon dioxide emissions, Concept Cars, electric cars, electrical outlets, fisker automotive, gasoline prices, General Motors, hybrid cars, nissan motor, nissan motor co, Prius, tesla motors inc

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