Chinese automakers told to go electric

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has told domestic automakers to increase efforts to cooperate in developing electric cars, while implying that "incapable" firms should quit the industry, the South China Morning Post reported. At a vehicle conference in Tianjin, Science and Technology Minister Wan Gang said he would work with the NDRC and the Ministry of Finance to promote hybrid vehicles starting next year, concentrating first on China’s public transport, taxis and postal vehicles. Developing hybrids would be a step toward fully electric vehicles. Shenzhen-based firm BYD announced last month that it would debut the F3DM, its first electric car, in late November. China’s car export growth in 2008 is expected to slow to 20% – nearly a quarter of the 79% increase achieved in 2007 – due to depressed vehicle demand in emerging markets.