TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Honda Motor ( HMC ) will report consolidated first-quarter operating profit of more than 450 billion yen ($3.17 billion), boosted by strong U.S. hybrid vehicle sales, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Monday.

Japan's second-biggest automaker said it was unable to provide immediate comment on the report. Honda ( HMC ) is scheduled to report financial results for the April-June quarter on Wednesday.

($1 = 141.9900 yen)