Hyundai's first entry into the gasoline-electric hybrid segment is scheduled to arrive on U.S. shores within the next two years via the Sonata sedan. Prototypes should to be hitting the road around November and this Sonata Hybrid is said to feature cutting-edge lithium-ion battery technology, but will not be plug-in rechargeable.

Vice president for product development John Krafcik says that the Sonata Hybrid should be launched sometime within the 2010 calendar year. This hybrid will, no doubt, go head-to-head against gasoline-electric mid-size offerings from Toyota, Chevrolet, and Nissan.

+ Automotive News: Hyundai plans to launch hybrid Sonata in 2010