Mitsubishi Motors Corp. (MMC) will produce 2,000 i-MiEV electric vehicles in 2009, the year the model will be launched in Japan, President Osamu Masuko said Tuesday.
The Japanese automaker will raise its annual output to 4,000 units in 2010 and then accelerate mass production, Masuko told Japanese reporters in Tokyo. Most of the vehicles will be sold in Japan for some ¥3 million (US$27,530) each.
It has 47 kW power. can travel at speed of 130 km/hr with 4 people. Previous models uses in-wheel motor technology. $ seperate motors in the wheels can avoid transmission, driveshafts, differential gears and other complex mechanical components. The new i MiEV uses single moror. May be trying to reduce cost.
Mitsubishi will begin selling the electric vehicles at reduced prices in 2010.
Masuko added that the firm will launch i MiEV road tests in Europe in October. A total of 12 vehicles will be used for the tests.
– from greencarcongress