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Report: Mitsubishi to Begin i MiEV Retail Sales In Japan A Year Early
9 July 2008
The Nikkei reports that Mitsubishi Motors Corp. begin retail sales in Japan of its i MiEV electric vehicle next summer, a year ahead of schedule. The automaker had planned to start leasing the i MiEV to businesses and municipalities next summer and to wait until 2010 for the retail launch.
However, it is advancing the retail release in light of smoother-than-expected preparations for mass production and the favorable sales conditions created by runaway gasoline prices, according to the report.
Mitsubishi Motors intends to set the price for the i MiEV at around 4 million yen. But government subsidies for low-emission vehicles are likely to reduce the actual retail price to an estimated 3 million yen [US$28,000].
The i MiEV is powered by a compact 47 kW motor that develops 180 Nm (133 lb-ft) of torque and a 330V, 16 kWh lithium-ion battery pack from Lithium Energy Japan (LEJ). LEJ is a joint venture of GS Yuasa Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC). Top speed of the i MiEV is 130 kph (81 mph), with a range of up to 160 km (100 miles) under Japanese 10-15 cycle driving conditions. (Earlier post.)
The report said that Mitsubishi Motors hopes to sell 2,000 i MiEVs in the first year and to boost the figure to 10,000 units by fiscal 2011.
July 9, 2008 in Brief | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Comments
Posted by: Henrik | July 09, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Gentlemen, let the competition begin!
Posted by: Lulu | July 09, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Good news but not new news.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/11/14/mitsubishis-all-electric-i-miev-may-arrive-earlier-than-expecte/
Also the price is only up slightly. That should have been 17,000 Euros ($26,747.41)in that original post.
Posted by: drivin98 | July 09, 2008 at 01:09 PM
drivin98:
Considering the USD rapid devaluation since the original post, an increase from $26,747 USD to $28 000 USD may be a reduction in price.
The same logic may be applied to the GM Volt. A 2006 price of 30 000 USD may turn out to be more than the final $40 000 (2011) USD or a NET price reduction when the USD devaluation is considered.
Price is always relative to the currency value.
Posted by: HarveyD | July 09, 2008 at 06:37 PM
I wish I could see this as positive but with the news now circulating that these PR announcements, press releases and GCC articles are simply a cog in the wheel of computer simulation - the excitement is devalued.
Posted by: trumanshow | July 09, 2008 at 09:27 PM
i MiEV Retail Sales cannot begin soon enough. I think it will very quickly become a best seller.
Mitsubishi Motors Corp.will be under increasing pressure to offer this car in every country.
Posted by: | July 10, 2008 at 01:11 AM
Sounds like the transformation is really and finally about to begin. What a relief!
Posted by: marcus | July 10, 2008 at 09:00 AM
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Great news. They have, however, raised the price 100% since March 2007 where it was 2 million yen. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/03/mitsubishi_deli.html
With only 12 months to retail sales they must know with high accuracy how much they can charge and still make a profit. It is going to be really interesting to see how well it will sell at that price ($28,000) and how quickly they can ramp up production. Compared to the Think City this car is better. Four seats instead of two and 130 kph instead of Think City’s 100 kph.