Shanghai General Motors unveiled the mainland's first mass-produced hybrid model in the mid- to high-class segment today with the auto maker saying it will cut fuel consumption more than 15 percent.

The LaCross Eco-Hybrid, which is expected to hit the market around the middle of this year, will reduce gas consumption from 9.8 liters to 8.3 liters for every 100 kilometers, the car maker said.

The auto giant also pledged that its cars made before the end of this month will meet the fourth national emission standard, which is equivalent to the Euro IV standard, the company said.

Its new cars will reach the fifth emission standard, it added.

Shanghai GM's green-energy program, dubbed Drive to Green, will also introduce a series of environmentally-friendly engines such as the 1.2-liter S-TEC, 2.4-liter Eco-Hybrid and 3.6-liter dual-module direct injection motor.

From 2008 to 2010, the company pledged to reduce fuel consumption on all its new vehicles an average of 10 percent, the company said.

In December, China's first self-developed hybrid, made by Chongqing-based Chang'an Automotive Group, rolled off the assembly line and is expected to hit the market this year.

China is the world's second-largest auto market, with about 8.5 million vehicles sold last year.

Overseas car makers are flocking to bring fuel-efficient vehicles to China to compete in the emerging market.

Ford Motor Co is considering bringing its hybrid cars to China, John Viera, director of sustainable business strategies at the United States-based auto maker, said in previous reports.

Toyota Motor Corp started production of its Prius hybrid in China in 2006 and Honda Motor Co also started selling the imported Civic hybrid in China by the end of last year.

(Shanghai Daily January 22, 2008)