Honda to sell hybrid Accord next year

Honda Motor Co, Japan’s third- largest carmaker, plans to introduce a hybrid version of its Accord sedan next year, President Takanobu Ito said.

“We are currently developing a hybrid engine system for mid- to large-sized vehicles,” Ito said in an interview at the Tokyo Motor Show today.

Toyota Motor Corp, Asia’s biggest carmaker, said yesterday it plans to introduce a plug-in version of the best-selling Prius in Japan at the end of January, with prices starting from ¥3.2 million ($41,030). The new Prius PHV has a fuel-economy rating of 61 kilometers per liter and a cruising range of 26.4 kilometres on its lithium-ion battery, which can be charged using a household electricity outlet, according to the company.

Honda expects hybrid cars to account for half of its annual Japanese sales by the end of March, Managing Officer Sho Minekawa said in October.