Hybrid cars driving sales

Significantly gas-guzzling American motorists bought more Toyota Prius hybrid hatchbacks in 2007 than Ford Explorers, the top-selling SUV for more than a decade.

Terry Coles, co-manager of the F&C Global Climate Opportunities Fund, said: "Hybrid cars are making notable inroads with Prius sales soaring 69% in the US last year. We own a number of companies in the Fund with exposure to hybrid technology including Toyota, Aisin Seki and Continental".