Honda is to introduce a hybrid version of its new Civic in the summer.
The 1.3-litre hybrid IMA will debut here in June or July. Frank Kennedy, sales and marketing director of Honda thinks the Toyota experience with Prius suggests sales of at least 40 to 50 next year.
It's the latest hybrid to hit the market, joining the likes of the Toyota Prius and Lexus RX400h.
Honda has previous experience in the hybrid market, initially offering the rather odd-looking petrol-electric Insight model. In 2003 it introduced a hybrid version of the previous Civic range. However, neither was offered for sale by Honda dealers in Ireland.
Details of the new hybrid version were revealed as the eighth generation Honda Civic had its Irish launch on Monday.
As well as the radically-styled five-door model already detailed in Motors (November 23rd), a more conservative-looking four-door saloon version was presented.
The British-built five-door, which will sell only in European markets, is expected to account for the bulk of Irish sales next year, estimated at 1,650.
The four-door, which is Japanese-manufactured, is projected to do around 400 sales.
Irish prices for the five-door 1.4 litre start at €22,825 rising to €26,115 for the 1.8i, both petrol.
The four-door initially is only available with a 1.8 litre petrol engine: a 1.6 litre unit will go on sale in the latter part of the year.
The 1.8 four-door will retail at €25,755 and €27,155 in automatic form.
Along with a hybrid version, future Civic derivatives include the high performance Type R, not available until 2007 and a 2.2-litre five-door diesel, due to be introduced late next year. Sales of the latter are expected to be small, however.