Mitsubishi reportedly increasing iMiEV production numbers, again
Mitsubishi i MiEV - click above for high-res image gallery
With the i-MiEV coming to U.S. (and Europe and Japan), it's no surprise that Mitsubishi would need plenty copies of the diminutive electric car to sell once the global plans really get rolling. We recently heard reports that the Japanese automaker was looking to produce 20,000 units a year, but now Automotive News (subs req'd) is saying that as many as 30,000 i-MiEVs will be produced each year "as early as 2013." Production will grow from 2,000 or so this year to 5,000 in 2010 and keep climbing from there. The problem with increased production is, as we heard in New York recently, the batteries. Still, making more of the electric vehicles could make the car profitable by 2013, Mitsubishi President Osamu Masuko said, according to AN. The first production versions of the i-MiEV will be available by the end of 2010.
Gallery: New York 2009: iMiEV
Gallery: i-MiEV in HD
[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd)]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tohe 9:59AM (4/29/2009)
The end of 2010 just seems so far away. This car suffers from the same disease as the Tesla Model S.
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David 10:11AM (4/29/2009)
With all the reports of electric cars that I see every day, I am astounded that I cannot purchase a moderately priced one right now. There are thousands of us out here longing to get of the petroleum habit, yet no one has stepped to the plate with a real-world car capable of highway speeds and a 100+ mile range.
This could really help the auto industry out. Let's face it, GM produced a fantastic car (the EV-1) in the nineties. Why don't they start building it again?
Toyota produced an electric RAV4. Where are the new ones? They're non-existent.
Ford produced an electric Ranger. Where is it now?
I personally find this happy talk about electric cars infuriating.
Hey automakers...sell one in the 20-30K price range and you'll have a line of customers beating a path to your dealers. Instead, it appears that the only beating that's going on is behind closed door.
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NeilBlanchard 1:08PM (4/29/2009)
Hi,
I'll echo what folks have already said -- start selling these cars already! I'd buy an Aptera or one of these right now, if i could.
Sincerely, Neil
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wave54 2:49PM (4/29/2009)
Seems like the iMiEV is the EV to beat for those that will be available in the US. I'm far more likely to trust a car from a bona fide manufacturer that has been thoroughly engineered in ALL aspects of operation compared to the numerous start-ups that are announced practically daily.
I also hope that the Global iMiEV revealed at the 2009 auto shows (top photo above) is NOT the model destined for the public. I like the simply-designed original that's been featured many times and is in testing. That Pokemon Pikachu version with all the smiley lights is just absurd and would be humiliating to be seen in if you're not a 12-year-old Japanese girl (I'm not!).
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John 3:12PM (4/29/2009)
i echo the above, i want this to be the next car in my family, with its release this summer it looks like they are the first major automaker with a production full electric on the market, and its a pretty sweet one at that. yeah the range is not where some of the others are but that will improve in subsequent models, the first to market will be getting a boost and mitsu looks like its got it, 2010 cant come soon enough for the US market
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