A GLIMPSE of the future has been on show in the UK as Toyota prepares to launch its Prius hybrid car next year. The car represents a technological breakthrough, using a combination of an electric motor and a petrol engine to slash emissions and fuel costs. The car, which drew crowds of fleet managers at the Fleet Show, is already on sale in Japan and is due to arrive in the UK next year.

Mark Hall, Toyota's general manager of fleet sales, said: 'Our view was that liquefied petroleum gas was nothing more than a stop-gap measure although we will provide alternative fuel conversions through our dealerships.However, we feel that the Prius has far more credibility in the long-term of fuel technology.'

He did not see the Prius becoming a mainstay of fleets but rather becoming part of a range of vehicles — from people carriers to the new Yaris — that Toyota provides to meet the requirements of a vast range of fleets.