Mitsubishi To Increase Production of iMiEV's

Mitsubishi iMiEV

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will increase production of the i-MiEV electric car to 8,500 units in fiscal 2010, up by nearly 20 percent from the planned volume, as orders far outstrip its expectations.

The automaker will also move full-scale production of the i-MiEV a year ahead to fiscal 2012, with over 30,000 units to be built every year.

The i-MiEV -- the world's first mass-produced electric vehicle -- has sold 1,650 units since it was put on sale to corporate customers in July last year. Boosted by growing environmental awareness and the government's support for eco-friendly vehicles, Mitsubishi Motors expect that it will receive a rush of orders for private i-MiEV sales, which begin in April.

The automaker is also planning a left-hand drive model for October, aimed at foreign markets. An agreement has already been struck with PSA Peugeot Citroen for over 2,000 units, which will be rebadged and sold by the French automaker. Mitsubishi will also start exporting i-MiEV cars to the United States in fiscal 2011, leading to a further increase in production.

"Following the production hike, we want to reduce the price of the car to around 2 million yen in several years, which is about the same as gasoline vehicles," said a top company official.

Source: Mainichi Daily News