Honda Motor Co. unveiled a prototype of the new hybrid-only Insight passenger car at the Paris International Motor Show.

The major Japanese automaker plans to launch the new Insight in Japan, the United States and Europe next spring, hoping to sell a total of some 200,000 units a year.

With the new Insight, Honda is aiming to catch up with Toyota Motors Co., which currently dominates the gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle market with the Prius.

Honda President Takeo Fukui told reporters that the new Insight will likely be priced at around 2 million yen. He expressed hopes that hybrid vehicles will dominate the European market, where sales of diesel engine vehicles are falling.

The 1300-c.c. new Insight is a five-door hatchback 4.37 meters long, 1.69 meters wide and 1.42 meters high.

Honda launched the two-door Insight coupe in 1999 but ended production in 2006 due to sluggish sales.

The new Insight will be on display to the public Oct. 4-19 at the biennial Paris show, where 332 automakers from 23 countries are participating.

Reflecting soaring crude oil prices, many automakers are exhibiting hybrid, electric and ultracompact vehicles.