Best of Both

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2015.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2015.

 

Industry sources said that if sales continue at the current pace in the second half of the year, annual hybrid car sales will easily surpass the record hit in 2012 when 31,236 hybrid cars were sold. They also said that this year’s annual sales would reach the highest ever, at 33,000 to 34,000 units.

Hybrid car sales are expected to increase in the coming months, as local automakers are scheduled to launch new models in the second half.

Hyundai Motor plans to release its first hybrid-only model to rival Toyota’s hybrid best-seller Prius within this year. The model is tentatively named AE. Its sister company Kia Motors is also set to launch a hybrid version of the K5 in the fourth quarter.

In the meantime, government support also contributed to the stronger hybrid car sales.

Buyers of hybrid cars can benefit from up to a 3.1 million won (US$2,651) tax deduction. In addition, the environment ministry will give an additional 1 million won (US$855) to customers from this year when the car emits less than 97 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer.

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