Dongfeng Motor to launch first hybrid model in '09

Shanghai, March 30 (Gasgoo.com) Dongfeng Motor Group Co, China's third-biggest automaker, said it plans to launch its own-brand hybrid car model this year, Reuters reported, citing a report of state media.

"We have accelerate the production of hybrid vehicles and plan to launch one this year," said Xu Ping, general manager of Dongfeng Motor, without giving a launch date.

He added that Dongfeng aims to sell 5,000 units of its first ever Dongfeng-brand hybrid car this year.

Dongfeng Motor Corp, the parent of Hong Kong-listed Dongfeng Auto Co., Ltd, is expecting to sell 1.4 million vehicles in 2009, according to Xu. It sold 1.3 million units in 2008.

The automaker rolled out its own-brand Fengshen sedan model last week. The car will be formally unveiled next month at the Shanghai auto show.