China's Haima Auto to Launch Hybrid and Electric Cars in 2011

The Chinese manufacturer Haima Auto struggles to stay in line with the rest of the automotive world and will launch its very own hybrid and electric cars as soon as 2011. Still unclear whether the carmakers intends to sell them outside China too or keep them in the domestic market, but it appears Haima has been working on the upcoming green cars every since 2005.

At this time, the 2011 vehicles are undergoing heavy testing in national laboratories, gasgoo.com reported citing sources familiar with the matter. The name of the models to come in electric guise are yet to be disclosed, so further information are expected in the upcoming months.

Nevertheless, Haima debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show this year the so-called Me EV which can cover a distance of 120 miles on a single charge. Top speed goes as high as 50 or 75 mph, with the recharging process taking around four hours if the battery is entirely depleted.

Chinese manufacturers are becoming more important players in the auto sector, not only because they are offering advanced technologies at low prices but also because they are based in a country which was less affected by the economic recession. The best example is Geely, the company whose cars will be sold in Europe starting in 2010 through the Austrian car dealer Denzel.

Furthermore, Geely is one of the investors who are willing to purchase Volvo, a major European carmaker who's currently dealing with financial difficulties and is looking for a new owner to keep its business alive.