The Hybrid Age: Hyundai & Ford to Give Toyota Prius a Run for Its Money

Hyundai Motor Co. seems to be in a mood to take on competition; cue its recent announcement about its gas-electric car that will compete against the Toyota Prius. Hyundai says this new car is an endeavour to to expand its range of eco-friendly cars, and also to keep up with the increasingly stringent emission regulations.

Hyundai's efforts relevant aren't limited to just the aforementioned car; the company recently started retailing what it calls 'the industry's first fuel cell models' in California. Up next are battery-powered electric cars that will arrive in 2016.

Talking about the eco-friendly car in question, it will be Hyundai's first car to be marketed exclusively as a hybrid instead of a hybrid version of an existing model. However, the South Korean carmaker isn't the only one with its sight set on clinching the hybrid market; Ford is also right there. Word has it that the American carmaker is also working on its first 'dedicated' hybrid model.

Toyota has ruled the roost with the Prius, but with these two i.e. Hyundai and Ford working on their Prius-challengers, the hybrid scene looks like it is set to usher in a new batch of cars under its fold. That said, the question remains: will India take to these cars like the global markets do?

(With inputs from Reuters)