Wash n' green-up after Tokyo Motor Show

Well,was it a Honda clean sweep? Or did Toyota come away with the green credentials with its low emission concepts and imminent production models?

The Sunday Times suggests Honda are ahead by a nose with a surprise announcement of having a production hydrogen car for sale next year in America and Japan- the cost (£50,000)will be less than for many current conventional family saloons on the market.This puts them upto 20 years ahead in terms of what was generally expected.The big question,however,is where will you fill it up? Honda is content to say that if there is demand for the new fuel, distributors will make it available to meet the demand.

In the other corner, the other manufacturing heavyweight,Toyota, was banking on electricity to drive its ultra low CO2 emission and low cost runner.Flagged as better than the Prius,the Toyota prototype on test and planned to be on sale in 2009, will most probably be eventually fitted with lithium-ion batteries that are more compact and lighter than its nickel-hydride test kit. Honda ,though,is not convinced that further development of hybrid models is anything more than 'an expensive sideshow'.

We are just going to have to wait and see.But now,it is likely that we are not to be kept waiting too long.

Other 'greening'carmakers were also at the show,of course-Mazda,Mitshubishi,Suburu and Suzuki were there, as were Volvo and BMW. Notably,Mitshubishi are intent to launch its MiEV Sport electric vehicle in Britain by 2009, reports the Sunday Times.

Look-out for the Honda Puyo,Volvo Recharge,Nissan Pivo2,VW Space UP!,and the Mazda Premacy RE hydrogen hybrid (a leasing project initially restricted to Norway commencing next year).The Toyota RIN,Ford Verve,Honda FCX etc...but for New Cars Out Now click here