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Global sales of gasoline-electric hybrids are forecast to reach more than four million a year by 2015, according to a new report from AutomotiveWorld.com. But the numbers could be even higher if China follows through with plans to provide incentives to both manufacturers and consumers.

According to the report, Hybrid Light Vehicles, Technologies and Trends to 2015, global hybrid sales stood at around 575,000 in 2007 and average annual sales increases are expected to run at more than 29 per cent through to 2012. That's when hybrid sales could approach market saturation in developed countries.

Not surprisingly, many auto makers are already in the hybrid business or plan to be very soon. Here's a look at their plans:

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz plans to launch a mild hybrid version of its S-class sedan next year using lithium-ion batteries made by Johnson Controls-Saft. The big sedan, powered by a 3.5-litre V-6, is expected to deliver 0-100 km/h performance of about 7.5 seconds and achieve fuel economy of 7.9 litres/100 km. Mercedes' parent Daimler AG has a hybrid development agreement with BMW and General Motors.

General Motors

GM officials insist the coming Chevrolet Volt is not a hybrid vehicle at all, but an "extended-range electric car." But GM does have a fleet of hybrids for sale now, some of them full hybrids that can run on gasoline or electric power alone, or some combination of the two. GM also sells a "mild" variety of hybrid designed to improve fuel efficiency marginally. GM's lineup of hybrids includes: full-sized SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, as well as the Saturn Aura Green Line, Saturn Vue Green Line and Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid.

Nissan/Infiniti

Nissan already sells an Altima Hybrid that uses technology licensed from Toyota. Nissan's first in-house hybrid is expected to arrive in 2010 with an Infiniti badge. Nissan's electric motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery, which weighs less and has more power than the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in the current generation of hybrids.

Ford

At November's Los Angeles auto show, Ford said it plans to beat Toyota at its own game when it comes to hybrids. Ford said its upcoming Fusion Hybrid will get better fuel economy than the Camry Hybrid. The company plans to double its hybrid-vehicle lineup and production next year. Nancy Gioia, Ford's hybrid chief, said, in highway driving, the Fusion Hybrid will be notably more fuel-efficient than the Camry Hybrid. The Ford hybrid also will cruise at up to 80 km/h on electric power alone, much faster than rival models. And the engine will shut off more often than in the past to leave the car running only on electric power.

Hyundai

Hyundai is a latecomer to the hybrid-vehicle race, but the South Korean auto maker is setting high targets for the technology as it chases Toyota and Honda. Hyundai is scheduled to sell its first North American hybrid, a version of its mid-sized Sonata sedan, in 2010. Hyundai has a partnership with LG Chem, a South Korean company, to use lithium-polymer batteries in its hybrid — batteries that are smaller and lighter than nickel-metal hydride batteries, say Hyundai officials.

Toyota/Lexus

Toyota sells more hybrids than anyone else and, in fact, plans to make hybrid systems available on all of its models by 2020. Current Toyota and Lexus hybrids include not only the Prius, but the Camry sedan, Highlander crossover SUV, the Lexus GS, Lexus LS and the Lexus TX400h (next year, Lexus will introduce a version of the RX hybrid). At January's Detroit auto show, Toyota is to show a new 2010 version of the Prius. Toyota might also announce a family of hybrid vehicles carrying the Prius badge.