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Mitsubishi Motors today announced the
start of production of its European-spec i-MiEV new-generation
electric vehicle along with production of PSA Peugeot Citroën’s (PSA)
Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-ZERO at its Mizushima Plant.
MMC has been producing and selling the
Japan-spec i-MiEV since last year. With the production of the
European-spec models, MMC begins full-fledged export. In fiscal year
2010 (April, 2010 - March, 2011) MMC plans to sell 5,000 i-MiEV’s
overseas, this includes models built for PSA.
At a ceremony at the Mizushima Plant,
MMC President Osamu Masuko stated “It has been 100 years since mass
production of internal combustion-engine cars began. We have taken the
first step into the next 100 years of the automobile with the i-MiEV.
Today, we take the second step with production for the European market
on the way to global rollout of electric vehicles. This is a big step
for the automobile industry and at the same time signifies the beginning
of e-mobility for Europe.”
MMC plans to sell the i-MiEV in Europe
in 14 countries including France, the United Kingdom, and Germany from
this December, then from fiscal year 2011 sequentially expand the
countries it will be sold in.
The European-spec i-MiEV, in
comparison to the Japanese version, contains some differences such as a
different front and rear bumper design, added safety features as well as
improved stability, as well as a re-arranged center stack in instrument
panel for an improved interior feel.
Compared to the Japanese version, the
European-spec i-MiEV has been altered to better suit European
requirements, including: a different front and rear bumper design, added
safety features such as Active Stability Control (ASC) system, new gear
selection, an all-new left-hand-drive dashboard, etc. The European-spec
i-MiEV also achieves a cruising range of 150km under the European NEDC2
driving pattern on one charge.
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