Honda announced it will begin selling a gas-electric hybrid car in the U.S., Japan, and Europe beginning in 2009.

The new model will be sold as a hybrid, not an ordinary gasoline powered vehicle, Honda Motor Co president Takeo Fukui said in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Hybrids have drawn attention for their image, but time has come to go to the next step, he said.

He would not give a price for the vehicle. The hybrid will be a five door sedan for five passengers incorporating technology to reduce its size and weight.

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