It is a fairly well recognized fact that the Toyota Prius is the best selling hybrid vehicle currently on the road. It could be the fact that it was the first generally embraced hybrid car design, or it could be a statement on Toyota’s engineering. However, there might be a much simpler reason that people aren’t buying Hybrids from Honda: they look just like the other cars.

Undoubtedly trying to capitalize on the strong model line and branding they already have, Honda offered some of its standard models in Hybrid form. However, the only difference between a normal Honda Civic and a hybrid Honda Civic is a small logo on the trunk of the vehicle. Based on recent market research (and the beliefs of some auto analysts), it seems that one of the reasons people want to buy a hybrid vehicle is so that they can be seen driving a hybrid vehicle. With the current Hollywood flavor to the environmental movement, that information can’t be easily set aside.

By becoming defined as the “look” of a hybrid car, the Toyota Prius has set the bar for other auto manufacturers. Honda has decided to respond by releasing a new style of pure hybrid that is distinctive from their other models. The current release date is scheduled for 2009. Toyota itself is limited by the success of its Prius. The new line of Hybrids that Toyota is designing are said to include elements of the Prius “look” that has come to define hybrids in the minds of many consumers.