The car manufacturer, DaimlerChrysler, has begun production of two new passenger vehicles that comply with stringent clean air standards introduced by Californian authorities.

It means the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Stratus sedans will be among the cleanest cars in the world.

Larry Lyons, vice-president of small vehicle production, commented: 'We engineered crisp performance and a high level of customer convenience and safety into these uniquely-styled vehicles.

'Now our engineers have reduced emissions to the lowest levels of any passenger vehicles on the road.'

Under California's Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) standards, emissions of the two primary components of smog have been reduced to near zero levels - hydrocarbons by 89 per cent and nitrogen by 93 per cent.

To gain PZEV certification vehicles must also prevent evaporative emissions from the fuel tank and fuel system, and emission control equipment must be warranted for 15 years or 150,000 miles.