Expect the hybrid sector to hot up next year, as Honda introduces its Insight, a direct rival to the Toyota Prius. The Insight debuts at the Paris Motor Show and Honda has said it will be priced significantly lower than its competitors, when it arrives in showrooms in the spring. Honda wants the car to help take its hybrid sales from 3% of its total at present, to 10% by 2010, so has big hopes for the five door family model. The company believes that price is holding back sales in the hybrid sector and expects to break this barrier with the introduction of the Insight.

The car has an all-new platform and takes styling cues from the FCX Clarity fuel cell concept. Honda say the car will not only feature the hybrid power system, but will also be packed with technology to encourage fuel-efficient driving. The Insight will be built in Suzuka, Japan.