Chevy Volt electric cars to be built, sold in China

General Motors will build the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car in China beginning in 2011 as part of the automaker's plan to roll out its revolutionary technology in a wide variety of vehicles around the world, the newsletter AutoBeat Asia reports.

All Volts built in China are to be sold there.

The first Volts will be built in GM's Detroit/Hamtramck assembly plant beginning in 2010. GM will initially export some U.S.-built Volts, but it plans to produce the car, and others using the Volt's powertrain, around the world, when demand outstrips the Detroit plant's capacity.

The Chinese government is aggressively promoting electric and hybrid vehicles as a way to reduce oil consumption and improve air quality in the country's polluted cities.

China wants to have 60,000 alternative fuel vehicles on the road in 2012, up from virtually none today. Most of the vehicles will be hybrids, but the government is eager to promote pure electric vehicles.