GM is the first company to give a timetable for its plug-in car

The car will be made in a joint venture with Shanghai Automotive, and will come off the production line in time for next year's Beijing Olympic Games.

GM announced last month that it is building a research centre in Shanghai to develop hybrid technologies.

Hybrid cars are designed to use a combination of power sources, usually petrol and electricity.

The Chinese government's National Development and Reform Commission is understood to be drafting plans to provide subsidies for low-emission vehicles.

The rules are expected to require that some of the components be made in China.

Currently Toyota is the only company making hybrids in China - it sold 2,000 there last year.

GM also announced that it will launch its plug-in hybrid, the Chevrolet Volt, by the end of 2010.