Toyota has stumbled in the all-electric car race and now GM thinks it sees the finish line.

Because battery-safety problems, Toyota is delaying the plug-in, lithium-ion-based model until 2011.

Meanwhile, GM has just solidified a deal with Massachusetts-based A123 Systems to produce flat lithium-ion batteries for use in their future plug-in electric vehicles, like the Chevy Volt.

GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said, "I think that our No. 1 competitor has some problems with their technology, and I do think that it very definitely opens a window of opportunity for us to be first to market with a genuine plug-in hybrid."

May the best car win!