Hybrid car is number one in Japan

A Honda-made hybrid was Japan’s best selling car during April, making it the first petrol-electric vehicle to achieve this accolade.

The hybrid Honda Insight, launched in February, sold 10,481 units in April, sending it soaring to top the charts from the 21st place it achieved in March.

Honda has advertised the Insight as an affordable hybrid, because hybrids tend to have a bigger price tag than petrol-only cars due to the expense of installing an electric motor.

The Insight is available from 1.89 million yen ($19,000) in Japan.

“The all-new Insight has been very well received by a wide range of customers due to its excellent environmental performance, easy-to-use packaging, light and comfortable driving and affordable pricing,” Honda said in a statement.

Honda’s Japanese rival, Toyota, is set to unveil the latest version of the world’s top selling hybrid, the Prius, later this month.

The Insight’s US EPA fuel economy rating is 41 miles per gallon.