General Motors to launch 10 electric and hybrid vehicles in China by 2020

General Motors Co plans to launch 10 electric and gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles in China by 2020, as automakers speed up the rollout of alternative vehicles under pressure from Beijing to promote the industry, AP reported quoting industry sources.

GM would start production of a pure-electric model in China within two years, according to Matt Tsien, president of GM China, who spoke at a news conference during the Shanghai auto show. He said GM expected annual sales of 150,000 electric and hybrid cars in China by 2020 and possibly in excess of 500,000 by 2025.

Ford Motor Co, Volkswagen AG, Nissan Motor Co and other automakers too had announced aggressive plans to make and sell electric vehicles in China, the biggest auto market by number of units sold. On Tuesday, GM unveiled a hybrid version of the Chevrolet Volt for manufacturing in China and sold under its Buick brand.

To support the growth of its NEV line-up, GM had set up a battery assembly plant in Shanghai which is expected to deliver battery packs next year.

GM had debuted the Velite 5 hybrid-a gasoline-electric hybrid version of its Chevrolet Volt vehicle - at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier this week. The vehicle would be made by GM's joint venture with China's SAIC. The Velite, which would travel 72 miles on a single battery charge, would switch over to gas to provide a total of 480 miles before it ran out of fuel or power.