RENEE MONTAGNE, host: NPR's business news starts with an auto race that's green.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: And in that race, Toyota is still way in the lead. The company has just sold its millionth Prius. The hybrid car that combines electric power with gas has come to symbolize the entire hybrid car market. But other big automakers are gunning their engines, hoping to catch up.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: Today, Honda announced plans to introduce a low-cost hybrid car into the U.S. market early next year. The following year is when Nissan plans to introduce its own hybrid car into the U.S. It's also when General Motors hopes to launch its plug-in hybrid - the Chevrolet Volt.
The sale of the one-millionth Prius emphasizes Toyota's early lead in hybrid vehicle sales. But Honda plans to introduce a low-cost hybrid car in the U.S. market early next year. And Nissan and GM will follow a year later.