Honda has announced plans to significantly boost sales of its hybrid vehicles with the launch of a new generation Insight model, set to be unveiled at next month's Paris Motor Show .
Hybrid sales currently account for less that three per cent of Honda’s annual sales - a figure which the brand hopes to increase to 10 per cent by 2010 with the launch of more green motors including Hybrid versions of the Civic and Jazz.
The new Insight has been designed as a five-door family car and is due to on sale in UK dealerships in spring 2009 as a direct competitor for the Toyota Prius .
The Japanese carmaker said prices for the green vehicle will be "significantly lower than any other hybrid car on the market" and as a result expects the model to double its global hybrid sales and end the price premium that buyers currently have to pay for such vehicles .
John Kingston, environmental manager at Honda UK, said the introduction of the new model is "vital" for the future direction of the brand.
"It will change customer perception of hybrids," he commented. "Hybrids have to be made more affordable - the key barrier to sales is price and we want to break that barrier."
The car will be built on a new production line at Honda’s Suzuka plant in Japan, boosting annual hybrid production capability from 70,000 to 250,000 units. Annual global sales are expected to reach 200,000 units.
