Business Jul. 08, 2011 - 06:11AM JST ( 4 )

TOKYO —

Mitsubishi Motors Corp on Thursday announced that it is to offer the i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle in two trim levels. The entry-level “M” will be available for 1,880,000 yen after receipt of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s eco-car subsidy. The higher-level “G” will sport a more comprehensive equipment and trim specification with extended cruising range per charge and the “MiEV Remote System” that allows the owner to set the time he wants battery charging to start and finish and to pre-activate the climate control system before entering the car.

The M model will debut in Mitsubishi dealer showrooms throughout Japan on July 25 and the G model in the middle of August carrying a price tag ranging from 2,600,000 yen to 3,800,000 yen, consumption tax inclusive.
When MMC first started delivering the i-MiEV ultimate eco-car to corporate, governmental and local authority users in July 2009, it was the first auto manufacturer to offer a car that fully addresses the issues facing the automobile today and including environmental pollution, global warming and exhaustion of petroleum-based energy supplies.

To promote EV ownership on Japan’s roads, the company started sales of i-MiEV to individual customers in April 2010, reducing the ex-subsidy price from 4,599,000 yen to 3,980,000 yen. Since then, the company has sold around 4,000 units in Japan and has exported a total of over 10,000 units including those supplied to PSA Peugeot Citroen.
In addition, basic vehicle performance and the equipment specification have been upgraded to realize a significant improvement in product content. The cruising range per charge has been extended by linking brake pedal usage to the regenerative braking system while Active Stability Control (ASC) is now fitted as standard. The “MiEV Remote System” factory-fitted option gives the owner the convenience of using late-night and other off-peak electricity to charge the battery.