American manufacturers are most interested in offering hybrids for gas-guzzling sport utilities, rather than selling the high-mileage small cars preferred by many environmentalists.

While sales have been slow since hybrids were introduced sale here six years ago, these low-polluting, high-mileage cars now seem poised to become mainstream.

Detroit so needed the low-cost high-mileage cars that it was willing to cede part of its lucrative domestic market.

As the Bush administration replaced one government-backed program to build high-mileage cars with another today, hardly anyone rushed to eulogize the old project.

Honda and Toyota, operating with much smaller government subsidies, have already begun mass production of high-mileage cars that combine gas engines and electric motors.

Perhaps most daunting of all, there is little sign that Americans want high-mileage cars in an era of relatively low gasoline prices and rising national prosperity.

"We sell high-mileage cars," said Rob Sand, the owner and primary auctioneer.

But financial returns from a project like the high-mileage car are not necessarily the aim.

Several engine and automobile manufacturers have signaled that more high-mileage diesel-fueled cars, a fixture on European highways, may become available.

Analysts said Nissan, like other Asian carmakers, has benefited as soaring gasoline prices have made its high-mileage cars more appealing.