Honda may offer a hybrid version of its compact CR-V sport utility vehicle to
the US market, says a top executive.

Koichi Amemiya, said there would be no hybrid option at the model’s North
American launch but described a future hybrid derivative as a possibility. The
company would see how the Civic hybrid is received in the market before deciding
on the CR-V.

If production goes ahead, a hybrid CR-V model may compete against a hybrid
version of the Ford Escape.

The hybrid Civic is scheduled to go on sale in North America before the end
of 2001. Honda already offers one hybrid model, the two-seater Insight coupe,
in the US.