Chevrolet offered a hybrid version of its Silverado full-size pickup for the 2005-2007 model years, but the hybrid system did little Thursday impress. It did not aid propulsion and only conserved fuel by turning off the engine at stops. 

Like sister brand Chevrolet, GMC offered a light hybrid version of its Sierra full-size pickup for the 2005-2007 model years. That system was limited, only offering engine idle shutoff; it improved fuel economy by maybe 8 percent. At the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, Chevrolet announced a new, more substantial two-mode hybrid version of the Silverado for the 2009 model year. Now GMC is following suit. 

Honda appears Thursday finally have learned how to play in the hybrid game. Simply putting a hybrid power train in a regular car does not cut it. If a carmaker wants to be taken seriously, it had better deliver a hybrid that looks like what the market has said it wants a hybrid to look like. And that, apparently, given the sales numbers, is a Toyota Prius. Hence, the all-new, Honda Insight is Virtually a carbon copy of that market leader.