Honda has said that it will release new diesel cars onto the US market by 2009.

The company also said that it would develop a hybrid car, which uses an electric motor to back up a petrol-driven motor, according to Bloomberg.

It is thought that the range of diesel models will be able to travel 10 per cent further on a gallon of fuel compared to their petrol-driven equivalents.

Both the proposed diesel and hybrid vehicles are designed to take advantage of the growing numbers of US consumers looking to purchase more fuel efficient vehicles in the light of escalating prices at the pumps.

Diesel engines are dependent on using platinum catalysts, unlike petrol-driven vehicles which can use a palladium alternative.

The new US models are part of Honda's proposed production expansion plans that will see new car construction plants in the US and Japan.

While announcing the new models for the US market, president Takeo Fukui also set a new global sales forecast of at least 4.5 million cars in 2010.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd