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21/11/2008 14:11. Hyundai has been reaching for the stars lately, comparing its cars to other automakers' luxury models and launching the Genesis luxury sedan. Now the company wants to be "the most fuel-efficient automaker on the planet," according to Hyundai Vice President for Product Development John Krafcik. To achieve its lofty goals, Hyundai showed off its Blue Drive hybrid powertrain at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. This powertrain works similarly to full hybrids from Toyota and Ford, powering the car under electric or a combination of gas and electric, but Hyundai takes a leap forward by using third generation battery technology.

Current production hybrids use nickel metal hydride battery packs, while various automakers look to lithium ion battery packs as a second generation storage technology.... // CNET News