New Zealand Prime Minister goes for a ride in an i MiEV, falls in love
There's nothing like a real-life introduction to get the love sparks flying. Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand happened to be in Japan the other day when she was invited to take a ride in the all-electric i MiEV from Mitsubishi. She found the ride through the Tokyo streets "smooth" and thought it was the perfect automotive solution for her own island country. "If they can get it into mass production and get the price down this would be an incredibly popular urban car," she said. She compared it to a modern "Mini" and stated her desire for "Japan to see New Zealand as a place that is very willing and ready to pick up these kinds of cars and because we've got so much renewable energy it makes sense for us to go the electric car way." With sales planned for Japan and the UK next year and with North America to follow in 2010, New Zealand is keen to have Mitsubishi offer it up to their populace as well, though no promises of Kiwi distribution have been made.
The Mitsubishi wasn't the only enviro-friendly vehicle Clark got to ride in during her visit. She also got to tour Tokyo's financial district in one of the four hybrid buses by Designline, a redevelopment project has imported from her own native land.
Gallery: i-MiEV in HD
Gallery: Mitsubishi i MiEV - LIVE
[Source: stuff.co.nz]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dad 6:16PM (5/15/2008)
"If they can get it into mass production and get the price down this would be an incredibly popular urban car"
If and If and If. As my son would say "DUH".
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Kristen L 7:30PM (5/15/2008)
That's a big word of endorsement from a well-known politician... should generate a lot of buzz in NZ, potentially creating demand.
Yes, lots of 'ifs', but ifs that have a good chance, I think, because NZ generates tons of electricity by hydro. I'd like to see this happen!
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jon 7:52PM (5/15/2008)
don't worry, prime minister, high prices and production delays are two problems we'd never expect from an electric vehicle with as much hype as this one.
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kert 12:56AM (5/16/2008)
Mitsu has already answered a lot of these "if"s, the current price bracket for MiEV was $25K, and its already in production in gas variant, fleets testing cars have made in large batches, and production dates are set.
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Dave 9:14AM (5/16/2008)
Mitsu has literally shown this car around the world. I suspect that once they get their ducks in a row, it will be offered in on every continent (except perhaps Africa and Antarctica).
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David Wright 10:15AM (5/16/2008)
There seem to be bunches of runners in this race to bring EVs to the mass market. Mitsubishi with its MiEV in the leading foursome alongside Subaru with its R1e, with Renault and Nissan on their shoulders. GM with its Volt is several yards behind them.
Back down the field we have VW-Audi, and BMW, both tentatively jogging along without being fully committed yet. Peugeot-Citroen have yet to even announce themselves as a runner, but I suspect they will do so and will overtake VW-Audi and BMW soon - at which point those two will realise the race is worthwhile and will commit.
Those who turn up later than that will need to go for a joint venture with some Chinese maker in order to catch up.
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Sasparilla 3:18PM (5/16/2008)
>> With sales planned for Japan and the UK next year and with North America to follow in 2010
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Sasparilla 3:21PM (5/16/2008)
(With sales planned for Japan and the UK next year and with North America to follow in 2010)
I thought Mitsubishi hadn't committed to US sales?
Has this changed are they going to sell it here in the US? I'll be very happy if they are.
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mike 10:41AM (5/17/2008)
I hope they build sufficient capacity.
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Gemma 6:15PM (6/24/2008)
Hi Domenick,
I would like to confirm where you sourced your information for this article?
Thanks,
Gemma
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