Yang makes hybrid plans

HONG KONG // A Chinese businessman who fled to the US fearing arrest for economic crimes seven years ago is planning a comeback as a hybrid car manufacturer. Yang Rong claims he is innocent of crimes the Chinese authorities accused him of while running Brilliance China Automotive. Yang's Los Angeles-based start-up, Hybrid Kinetic Motors, is looking to offer hybrid vehicles that run on natural gas, petrol and electricity, with production slated to start in 2013. Yang plans to build a plant in Alabama and hopes to raise an ambitious $7.9 billion (Dh29.01 billion) from private investors. [e-mail]