The North American International Auto Show will be the platform for the latest advances in green transport when it previews this weekend.

A huge number of manufacturers are viewing hybrid and fuel cell vehicles as the future of the industry, with a number set to showcase new models.

Petrol-electric car numbers are expected to double over the next two years, with many companies converting petrol engine vehicles to hybrid ones.

Toyota, the first company to produce a commercial hybrid vehicle with its Prius in 1997, continues to dominate the field, and will demonstrate a hybrid version of its popular Camry at the show.

Larry Burns, vice president of research and development at GM, which is expected to unveil its petrol-electric Saturn Vue Green Line and Yukon, told the Detroit News: "Our technology strategy is, in the near-term, to improve our gasoline and diesel engines, and for the medium-term, we're heavily focused on hybrids.

"In every study we've done, fuel cells surface as the most promising long-term pathway for the industry," he continued.

BMW, Ford, and Honda will all be exhibiting hydrogen-powered vehicles at the show.


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