The design is believed to be a hybrid model, consisting of elements of both the S2000 and the original Honda Beat, a mini-car that was around at the start of the nineties. There have been hints for some time from the company that an alternative to their only current sporty model, the CR-Z are in the pipeline, although it seems unlikely that this particular model will surface any time before 2014. Even the next generation of Toyota sports cars, including a new small coupe are set to beat this new concept to launch, as they are due in early 2013.

Honda are said to have submitted some interesting patent applications, with the use of aluminium likely in upcoming models – a far cry from your used Honda Civic or Jazz. The new model is being referred to as the mini-FT-86 in Japan and is likely to be a mid-engine, rear wheel drive, two-door hatchback.

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.

It’s a shame that the UK will miss out yet it makes sense given the difficult past 12 months experienced in the motoring industry.

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.

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.

Another plus point for Honda in the domestic (Japanese) market is that they were the only brand to experience a rise in sales for the month of April compared to April 2008 – an impressive feat given the state of the global economy at present. Like so many other car manufacturers, the Japanese giants have been hit hardly by the credit crunch and resulting economic downturn. In the UK they had to close their production plant in Swindon at the start of the year and have cut pay rates by 3 per cent in order to safeguard 500 jobs.

Japan’s government is currently deciding whether to go ahead with a scrappage scheme similar to that which UK government has recently implemented. The likelihood is that the scheme will go ahead and manufacturers, such as Honda are therefore looking at increasing production output to meet demand. They had forecast that they would sell around 550,000 units in the year up to March 2010 but they now expect this to rise by up to 100,000 if the bill goes ahead.

The Honda Insight is only available in the UK with one engine type at the moment, albeit a very clean one – 1.3 IMA petrol, emitting just 105g/km CO2 setting you back just 15 pounds road tax a year, with a combined 61 miles per gallon.

The Insight undercuts nearest rival – the Toyota Prius (the world’s most popular hybrid vehicle) – by almost 2,000 pounds with a starting price of just 15,490 pounds. Hybrid sales are expected to rise in the UK over the next few years despite the economic downturn and Honda look to have cornered the market with the Insight representing very good value for money and are also forecast to hold their value well in terms of depreciation – a vital car buying factor at this moment in time.

Toyota of course started the hybrid technology movement a decade ago but Honda look set to push them all the way. The new Toyota Prius hits the Japanese market next month so it will be very interesting indeed to see how they both perform in what looks like being a toe to toe battle.

Both of these Japanese big brands will be hoping that their latest hybrid offerings and the growing public consciousness of global warming will mean an increase in sales. Japanese car sales have been on the slide over the past 15 years or so, which of course has got worse over the past year because of the global economic crash.

Green cars look set to be in vogue in years to come and Honda are well set to lead the field.