Brilliance aims to launch plug-in hybrid in '13

Shanghai, September 18 (Gasgoo.com) Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Co said it is on track to launch a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) by 2013, Jinghua newspaper reports.

Brilliance Auto began to develop PHEVs in 2008 and is expecting to bring such vehicles to the market in 2013 if there's a mature charging environment by that time.

The company could also consider launching a strong electric vehicle in 2011 that will save energy use by 35 percent compared with conventional vehicles.

Brilliance has a joint venture with BMW, assembling 3 Series and 5 Series cars at its Shenyang facility. It also produces Zhonghua-brand passenger cars and minivans through the venture. Last year the company sold 285,000 vehicles, with its sales growth down 5% from last year.