Honda Motor Co. plans to discontinue production of the gas-electric hybrid version of the Accord midsize sedan in North America, sources said.

The decision is in line with the automaker's policy to focus on fuel-efficient, low-emission diesel engines for midsize and larger models while installing hybrid systems on small vehicles.

Honda has sold about 26,000 hybrid Accord sedans in the United Sates and Canada since 2004.

Source: [url=http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200706090072.html]Asahi Shimbun[/url]