General Motors is to start selling hybrid cars in China from 2008 in collaboration with its joint venture partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp, the <i>Financial Times</i> reported. The plan to launch alternative energy vehicles in China was announced by GM chief executive Rick Wagoner during a visit to Shanghai where he test-drove the company's Sequel car. It runs on hydrogen fuel-cell technology, which is still some way from commercial application. GM's decision comes after Toyota began selling its Prius petrol-electric hybrid car at the start of the year. Volkswagen also plans to introduce hybrid vehicles in China by 2008. Although China has an escalating thirst for oil, it has yet to develop the expensive gasoline infrastructure present in more developed countries and so some analysts believe it could more easily adapt to alternative energy vehicles.