Mitsubishi to triple electric car production

The Yomiuri Shimbun

Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will increase production of its i-MiEV electric car to about 30,000 units a year in fiscal 2012, about triple its expected fiscal 2010 output.

The decision, announced Monday, is a reflection of the greater-than-expected number of orders for the car, especially from private companies and government offices.

MMC also said it was sure it would be able to sufficiently increase lithium ion battery production.

Greater production scale also is expected to reduce its retail price from the present 4,599,000 yen, the automaker said. Currently, if buyers use the government's eco-car purchase incentive program, the i-MiEV sells for 3,209,000 yen.

Sale of the i-MiEV, the world's first mass-produced electric car, started in July. MMC initially expected to sell 1,400 in fiscal 2009 and 5,000 in fiscal 2010. However, it sold 2,000 in fiscal 2009. The automaker expects to sell 9,000 in fiscal 2010.

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The all electric 2011 Ford Focus will be huge.