The Lexus HS250h has received more than 3,000 orders in a slowing Japanese car market yet will not be made available to UK drivers Toyota have announced.

The HS250h is also performing well in the US with pre-orders going strong and estimates of 2,500 units to be sold per month proving that this particular hybrid could well be the most popular eco-friendly vehicle yet.

The first full hybrid model by Lexus will not be released in the UK because of similar models in the Lexus IS and Toyota Avensis hybrids that are set to be released in Britain in the next year.

Honda’s domestic sales continue to perform well with the Insight and Jazz proving popular in Japan.

Having become the first hybrid vehicle to top the Japanese sales list in April, the Insight looks to be taking the Japanese market by storm, although sales in Europe are yet to meet such heights.

The Jazz, named the Fit sub compact in Japan, has been a complete success, becoming the number one selling Japanese car of 2008.

Honda believe that the increased interest in the Insight will have a knock on effect with other models as showrooms fill up with prospective buyers as the worst of the motor industries sales slump looks to have passed.

It seems as though Honda are mounting a real challenge to Japanese rivals Toyota in the Hybrid market as their new Insight vehicle has returned impressive sales figures in its home country since launching in February.

Last week the Insight became the first hybrid at the top of Japan’s best sellers list. The Japan Automobile Dealers Association ranked the Insight at the top of the tree after Honda sold 10,481 units in the month of April alone, becoming the first hybrid vehicle in history to outsell all other conventional models.