The Japanese manufacturer says it has no plans at present to export the family saloon to the UK - but industry experts have said it could attract sizeable interest from the fleet sector. The Prius achieves twice the fuel economy of competitive petrol-engined cars. It has been designed, equipped and priced to compete with conventional mid-sized family cars.

'We certainly could not rule out any future export for Prius,' said corporate communications manager Kevin Perlmutter. 'It is normal for us to test new technology in the Japanese market first.'