MONSTER X-RAID TEAM SAFELY ARRIVES IN BUENOS AIRES FOR START OF 33RD PERSONAL DAKAR ARGENTINA-CHILE

MONSTER X-RAID TEAM NEWS

33rd Personal Dakar Argentina-Chile (January 1st-16th, 2011)

News from Buenos Aires

Thursday, December 30th, 2010

MONSTER X-RAID TEAM SAFELY ARRIVES IN BUENOS AIRES FOR START OF 33RD PERSONAL DAKAR ARGENTINA-CHILE

-Mechanics and engineers set to work to prepare cars for start

-Chicherit and Périn complete short shakedown in Mini All4 Racing

BUENOS AIRES (Argentina): All members of the Monster Energy X-raid rally team has safely arrived in Buenos Aires to begin final preparations for the official start of the 33rd Personal Dakar Argentina-Chile on New Year’s Day.

Six BMW X3CCs, the brand new Mini All4 Racing and the team’s fleet of race trucks, service trucks and support vehicles have been removed from the dock area in Buenos Aires and are being prepared by Sven Quandt’s army of mechanics and engineers.

Guerlain Chicherit and co-driver Michel Périn managed to carry out a short pre-event test in the Mini All4 Racing about 50km from Buenos Aires at a nearby motorcross circuit on Wednesday afternoon. Chicherit’s Mini has been developed in record time and the Frenchman will be hoping to improve on the fifth position he obtained with a BMW X3CC last year.

The entire X-raid team will attend pre-rally administration and scrutineering formalities at La Rural conference centre in Buenos Aires on Friday morning, before the competition cars are placed in a Parc Ferme area. Team members will then attend a New Year’s Eve dinner in the fashionable Puerto Madero area of the city to celebrate the start of the New Year.

One hundred and fifty-six cars, 183 bikes, 33 quads, 68 trucks and competitors from 51 nations are expected to finalise pre-rally formalities over the next two days before the official start on New Year’s Day.

Suzuki and Mitsubishi Agree on OEM Supply of Compact Passenger Vehicles

Suzuki Motor Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Agree on OEM Supply of Compact Passenger Vehicles

Tokyo, December 24, 2010-Suzuki Motor Corporation (Suzuki) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) have mutually agreed on OEM supply of Suzuki's SOLIO compact passenger vehicle to MMC.

2011 Suzuki SOLIO

Suzuki will supply MMC with about 800 SOLIOs per month beginning from spring 2011.

The OEM supply is expected to generate new customers for MMC, as it will make possible response to a wide variety of customer needs by adding a new genre to MMC's existing lineup – a "compact height wagon."

Through the OEM supply to MMC, Suzuki aims to improve its productivity and lower production and development costs through further increasing economies of scale.

This OEM supply is limited to the Japanese market.

Hydro-Québec and Mitsubishi launch the largest electric vehicle trial in Canada

Hydro-Québec and Mitsubishi launch the largest electric vehicle trial in Canada

Mayor Martel to drive an i-MiEV

Montréal, December 20, 2010 – Hydro-Québec and Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc. (MMSCAN) are pleased to announce that the first five all-electric i-MiEVs have arrived in Boucherville and are currently being prepared for their new drivers. Once installation of the data logging equipment that will be used during the trials is complete, Boucherville Mayor, Jean Martel, and employees from the City of Boucherville, the Centre de santé et de services sociaux Pierre-Boucher and Hydro-Québec will be able to pick up the test vehicles, just in time for the holidays.

Boucherville Mayor, Jean Martel, was delighted to announce his personal participation in the project: “. I am pleased to be one of the first users of the i-MIEV car in Quebec. By participating in this project, I feel I'm contributing to technological progress that will enable all of us to live in a cleaner world and breathe healthier air. My daughters are really happy that we're doing something for our future. I wish the project great success and would like to thank everyone who is actively involved."

Queensland's RACQ will test the i-MiEV [AU]

Electric car performance tested

An Australian car club will put an electric car through its paces over the next three years to test its real life performance for motorists.

Queensland's RACQ has taken delivery of a Mitsubishi iMiEV, the first mass-produced electric car sold in Australia and will test its reliability, range, power consumption and running costs to see how it compares with hybrid and petrol vehicles.

Research leader Steve Spalding says the car will be used by different people for different reasons from work, shopping and school runs to holiday drives, to see how consumer friendly it is for the average driver.

He says motorists fear getting stuck on the roadside in an electric car and want to know aspects such as how long the battery will last.

The iMiev uses a lithium-ion battery system with a battery range of 140 to 160 kilometres and a top speed of 130 kilometres an hour.

Source: Skynews

Mitsubishi to stop production in Limburg [NL]

Mitsubishi stops production in Limburg

Thursday 16 December 2010 - Car maker Mitsubishi is stopping production at the Nedcar plant in Born in Limburg province, the Japanese firm said on Thursday, according to the Financieele Dagblad.

The Mitsubishi Colt is currently built from scratch at Nedcar and that will stop at the end of 2012. The plant employs 1,200 people.

However, the company is looking at the option of carrying out assembly work in Born using semi-manufactures imported from Japan.

source: DutchNews.NL

Mitsubishi i-MiEV four-star ANCAP safety rating

Mitsubishi i-MiEV four-star ANCAP safety rating

The all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV has been awarded a four-star safety rating by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

The first fully electric car to be tested for the Australian market, the i-MiEV scored a total of 28.35 out of 37 points.

In the offset crash test it scored 10.95 out of 16, while in the side impact test it managed 14.4 out of 16. Protection from serious chest and leg injury was marginal for the driver in the front test, and there was a moderate risk of serious chest injury to the driver in the side test.

While a four-star rating is a solid effort, ANCAP Chair Lauchlan McIntosh said many other light cars – including variants of the Ford Fiesta, Hyundai i20 and Volkswagen Polo to name just a few – achieved a five-star rating while also being fuel efficient.

Read more from source: caradvice.au

Mitsubishi plans to offer EV and Hybrid versions of their current line-up [DE]

Mitsubishi plans to each new model as an e-car

Mitsubishi plans to launch the battery-powered compact car i-MiEV other electric vehicles. This was announced by the Japanese manufacturer at the headquarters in Germany Hattersheim. "Every new car we develop even able to drive electric, " said spokesman Helmut Bauer.

Hattersheim. Mitsubishi plans to offer an electric version of their current car line-up. Recently, customers can order the i-MiEV for every 34 390 €. The car provides a maximum of 49 kW/67 hp, a top speed of 130 km / h and comes with a charge of its lithium-ion batteries widely according to the manufacturer 150 kilometers. Almost all the 600 vehicles, Mitsubishi gets the current fiscal year to March 2011 after Germany had already been sold.

The next step will probably the successor of the Outlander SUV electrified, it said. In addition, electric sports car, plug-in hybrid engines for SUVs like the Mitsubishi Pajero and vans are designed with battery power.

Source: automobilwoche

MONSTER ENERGY X-RAID TEAM COMPLETES FIRST TEST WITH MINI ALL4 RACING IN FRANCE

X-RAID TEAM NEWS

33.Rallye Dakar 2011

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

MONSTER ENERGY X-RAID TEAM COMPLETES FIRST TEST WITH MINI ALL4 RACING IN FRANCE

All-new MINI All4 Racing runs for around 300km in first trouble-free test in Le Creusot

TREBUR (Germany): The Monster Energy X-raid Team has completed a successful two-day test session with the new MINI All4 Racing at Le Creusot in France.

Driver Guerlain Chicherit and co-driver Michel Périn carried out the successful test on Monday, December 13th and Tuesday, December 14th, near Le Creusot, in the Saône-et-Loire department of the Burgundy region of France, south west of Dijon.

"After the short roll-out last Friday in Trebur, I was very excited to drive the car on the test track for the first time and was really content with everything,” enthused Chicherit, who finished fifth in the Dakar with the X-raid team in 2010. “The handling is excellent, the engine is very responsive and it is well balanced at jumps because of the improved centre of gravity. The view out of the car is much better than we were led to believe when the car was being built. Visibility is good and there is no disadvantage compared to the BMW X3CC.”

X-raid team director Sven Quandt was also pleased with the results of the first test session. “Altogether everything was optimistic and I am very happy that the car is finished and ready for the Dakar in such a short time. We carried out around 300km on the test track. The whole team is now looking forward to the world debut of the MINI All4 Racing in the Dakar Rally in January.”

i-MiEV New-generation Electric Vehicle Goes on Display at Narita Airport [JP]

i-MiEV New-generation Electric Vehicle Goes on Display at Narita Airport

Tokyo, December 15, 2010 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has announced today that it will be displaying its i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle (EV) at Japan's Narita International Airport from December 15th 2010 until January 14th 2011, in order to promote the popularization of EVs.

A total of two i-MiEVs will be on display; one in Terminal 1 North Wing's departure lobby and one in Terminal 2's departure lobby. As a representation of Japanese environmental technological pride, the i-MiEV will have its own display space in the middle of the departure lobbies to see travelers off for the Christmas and New Year season. At the same time, videos of i-MiEV promotional activities all over the world will be shown along with a display of parts used by the i-MiEV created with the support of parts makers to deepen interest and better understanding of EVs.

Narita International Airport aims to be an environmentally-friendly "eco airport," by initiating efforts to lessen environmental loads, such as installing solar energy systems as their energy source. As part of this initiative, the airport has been utilizing i-MiEV as an internal work vehicle since last fiscal year in its effort to reduce pollution from its vehicles that work within the airport.

MMC is currently selling the i-MiEV in Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia, and is sequentially starting sales in Europe from December.

Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors to Expand Scope of Cooperation [JP]

Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors to Expand Scope of Cooperation

- Expansion of current OEM projects into study on overseas co-production, mini car in Japan -

YOKOHAMA/TOKYO (Dec. 14, 2010) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today announced that the two companies agreed to expand their current scope of cooperation towards new projects that will further strengthen mutual competitiveness, especially in the Japanese mini car and global commercial vehicle businesses.

Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors currently have several OEM agreements for vehicles in the Japanese market, including for mini cars and commercial vehicles. In addition to expanding the scope of the current OEM partnership, the two companies agreed to study new opportunities which would generate additional synergies. The cooperation agreement between Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors will be complementary to any agreements the two parties have already established with other partners.

Regarding the expansion of the OEM partnership, the following have been agreed:

* Nissan to provide a light van/wagon to Mitsubishi Motors for the Japanese domestic market

* Mitsubishi Motors to provide an SUV to Nissan for markets in the Middle East

Discussions are ongoing for Nissan to provide Mitsubishi Motors with upper-end segment models for the Japanese domestic market.

Regarding new opportunities, two projects are currently under study:

* The manufacture of the current generation of Nissan Navara pickup truck at Mitsubishi Motors' plant in Thailand. Longer-term, the two companies are evaluating manufacturing and engineering collaboration of a new generation one-ton pickup truck.

* Establishment of a 50:50 joint venture for product planning and engineering of mini cars for the Japanese domestic market.

MITSUBISHI i-MiEV ‘PURE EV’ IS CONFIRMED ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT PLUG IN CAR GRANT [UK]

Tuesday, 14th December 2010 – CIRENCESTER, UK

MITSUBISHI i-MiEV ‘PURE EV’ IS CONFIRMED ELIGIBLE FOR GOVERNMENT PLUG IN CAR GRANT

~ The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) confirms that the UK’s first ‘Pure EV’ the Mitsubishi i-MiEV is eligible for £5,000 consumer grant ~

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK is pleased to announce that the first fully electric vehicle to the UK market, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV has been successful for the Government’s Plug In Car Grant (PICG) of £5,000. The i-MiEV met a wide range of safety, emissions and performance standards and other criteria set by OLEV to qualify for the grant.

The coalition Government announcement of eligible vehicles was made this morning at The Guild Hall in London and will apply to all motorists buying an electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen fuel cell car from 1st January 2011. The Government confirmed in October’s Spending Review, a provision of over £400m has been made to promote the uptake of ultra-low carbon vehicle technologies.

Mitsubishi Motors UK’s Managing Director, Lance Bradley said:

“Having the first mass produced fully electric vehicle in the UK market puts us at the forefront of a new era in the automotive industry. We are delighted that the i-MiEV has met the high level of criteria required to qualify for the Plugged In Car Grant. We know from the orders that we have already received that the i-MiEV will appeal to a wide cross-section of private individuals and business users, with its exciting combination of innovation, style and technology”.

Mitsubishi and Thai Gov't in agreement to test and promote the i-MiEV in Thailand

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and the Thai Government Agree on Joint study for Testing of the i-MiEV for the Popularization of Electric Vehicles in Thailand

Bangkok, December 9, 2010 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and the government of Thailand announced today that they agreed to start joint study for fleet testing of electric vehicles (EV).

MMC, through its local producer and distributor Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh), will begin initiatives for future market introduction of the i-MiEV new-generation EV.

Meanwhile, the Thai government will move forward with its Electric Vehicle Project, creating an integrated organization with related ministries and government agencies under the direction of the Ministry of Industry (MOI).

The Thai MOI has already been aiming towards advancement of EVs as part of its policies to expand the Thailand automobile industry, however through the start of this EV joint project with MMC, the MOI moves forward with specific testing for the popularization of EVs, through use of the i-MiEV, researching the acceptability and marketability of EVs in Thailand, setting up user support systems, and expanding charging infrastructure, etc.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Conducts Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for New Factory at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Conducts Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for New Factory at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand

Bangkok, December 9, 2010 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today conducted a Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for a new third factory of its Thailand producer and distributor, Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh) at the site where the new factory is to be built in at the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate in Chonburi province. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Thailand's Minister of Industry Chaiwut Bannawat and MMC President Osamu Masuko.

MMTh's 3rd factory for producing "Global Small" vehicle for domestic and export markets

The third factory will be built adjacent to the first and second factories, and is planned to start mass production in March 2012. It will produce the "global small" 1.0-1.2L class compact vehicle that MMC plans to launch in fiscal year 2011. Initially, the production capacity of this new factory will be around the 150,000-unit per year level, and in the future it can be boosted to the 200,000-unit per year level. The new factory is planned to hire around 3,000 new staffs.

"Global Small" conforming to Thailand's Eco-car Project

The "global small" to be produced at the new factory will be a new vehicle based on a completely new platform currently being developed by MMC with "compact," "affordability," and "fuel efficiency" as the basic concepts for the vehicle. The "global small" will conform to Thailand's Eco-car Project, implemented by the Thai government with the objective of promoting investment in Thailand's automobile industry and reduction of dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. The "global small" will be positioned as an entry model in MMC's model lineup, and plans are to export the vehicle from Thailand to markets worldwide as a global strategic vehicle that corresponds to both market needs of emerging countries, for which demand for automobiles is expected to increase, and advanced nations, where vehicle downsizing is increasing in order to correspond to energy issues in addition to environmental awareness.

i-MiEV – THE UK’S FIRST CHOICE PURE ELECTRIC VEHICLE, Revised Pricing Announced

THE MITSUBISHI i-MiEV – THE UK’S FIRST CHOICE PURE ELECTRIC VEHICLE

~ Mitsubishi Motors announces revised UK pricing ~

* First manufacturer ever to mass-produce an electric vehicle (full on-line production started in July 2009)

* First manufacturer to fully test an electric vehicle in real world conditions with real customers – over 12 months experience with 2,500 vehicles on the road in Japan, plus 50 on the road in the UK

* First to announce UK pricing and specifications

* First to take customer orders for UK deliveries in 2011

* First to offer a full demonstrator programme for all customers through its Electric Vehicle Centre in Central London

* First to offer a fleet demonstrator programme

* First to offer customers the chance to take advantage of the Government’s £5,000 consumer incentive

Price Realignment

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK is pleased to announce that it has reduced the i-MiEV’s launch pricing to £28,990 for orders placed for delivery from January 1st 2011. This coincides with the UK Government’s recently confirmed consumer incentive of £5,000 – which means customers will only have to pay £23,990.1

This price realignment signals Mitsubishi Motors’ global intentions to remain first in the promotion and establishment of the early electric vehicle market, Lance Bradley, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK’s Managing Director asserted that:

“The i-MiEV will remain first in all respects. We have been first in almost every aspect of the UK’s EV market for the last 2 to 3 years and we’re not going to give up that position easily. The electric vehicle is now a reality, with all our cars being European Whole Type Vehicle Approved. With a Mitsubishi Motors electric vehicle, customers need not compromise in any area.

What is more, our car is perfect for urban driving. It has been designed deliberately as a small, compact, true city car with the ability to nip in and out of traffic and park in the tightest of spaces.”

MITSUBISHI L200 VOTED WHAT VAN? ‘PICK UP OF THE YEAR’ [UK]

Wednesday 08th December 2010 – CIRENCESTER, UK

MITSUBISHI L200 VOTED WHAT VAN? ‘PICK UP OF THE YEAR’

~ Legendary Mitsubishi L200 wins ‘Pick up of the Year’ 2011 at prestigious What Van? Awards ~

Mitsubishi Motors is celebrating for the fifth consecutive year after winning the esteemed What Van? award for ‘Pick-up of the Year’ – an impressive 15 times in 18 years.

For many years the L200 has led the way with its innovation, styling, specification and its 4x4 capabilities. With a fully comprehensive range of pick-ups, the Mitsubishi L200 remains the leader in its segment at a staggering 32.6% of the market share year to date.

“The Mitsubishi L200 has again retained the What Van? Pick-up of the Year title, and it’s easy to see why,” said What Van? Editor Paul Barker. “The versatility of the range is unmatched, with everything from practical and functional single-cabs through to powerful lifestyle double-cabs, and all are as stylish and drive as well as anything in the market.”

Lance Bradley, the Mitsubishi Motors UK Managing Director stated that “It is an honour for us to receive this award as it firmly establishes the L200 as the clear favourite among commercial vehicle operators.

Monster Energy X-Raid Team Unveils MINI ALL4 Racing for 2011 Dakar [DE]

MONSTER ENERGY X-RAID TEAM UNVEILS MINI ALL4 RACING FOR WORLD DEBUT ON GRUELING 2011 DAKAR RALLY IN SOUTH AMERICA

* New MINI All4 Racing unveiled after 90 days from start of project

* Chicherit and Périn set to drive new MINI All4 Racing

* Magna-Steyr, Heggemann and Faster boost MINI project

* TÜV Rheinland to support Monster Energy X-raid Team

MINI All4 Racing

TREBUR (Germany): The X-raid Team unveiled an exciting new cross-country motor sport programme to run and develop the MINI All4 Racing in international competition.

The project was first discussed in the summer of 2009 and the competitive debut of the new MINI All4 Racing will be in the hands of the French rally crew of Guerlain Chicherit and co-driver Michel Périn in January’s 33rd Personal Dakar Argentina-Chile. The event starts in Buenos Aires on New Year’s Day and finishes in the Argentine capital on Sunday, January 16th, 2011.

Guerlain Chicherit

The new MINI All4 Racing will form part of X-raid’s seven-car Dakar team – the largest ever entered by a team in the 33-year history of the world’s most famous off-road rally – and the third of three vehicles running on the event under the Monster Energy X-raid Team banner.

Top November Sales for MMSCAN, Outlander Best Selling Model [CA]

Second record month in a row; Mitsubishi reports top November sales

Mississauga, ON – December 1, 2010 - Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc. (MMSCAN) set a new best month sales record for the second month in a row with strong sales of 1,742 units up, 48.4% from the same month in 2009.

Once again, the increasingly popular Outlander model led the way with sales of 872 units, up by 43.5% from November 2009. The month’s total model sales constituted the best-ever November for the Outlander, just short of the company’s best-ever monthly model sales of 915 in March, 2010.

Sales of the brand new RVR achieved 267 units, exceeding initial projections as well as generating increased showroom traffic.

MMSCAN vehicle sales were up across Canada with aggressive sales programs and product pricing creating significant brand awareness.

Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada is pleased to announce the launch of a newly re-designed national, corporate website, www.mitsubishi-motors.ca. Innovative strategic thinking, complimented by state of the art design, the new website reaffirms MMSCAN’s commitment to users, owners and enthusiasts alike.

Outlander Sport Revs Up MMNA Sales for November 2010 [US]

Wed, Dec 01, 2010

With the addition of the first full month of sales of the exciting new Outlander Sport compact CUV, Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) today announced November sales were 4,306, an increase of more than 47 percent compared to November 2009. This represents Mitsubishi's largest year-over-year percentage increase for a single month in more than ten years (June 2000).

"The excitement of our sales team and dealer partners for the new Outlander Sport was contagious, because customers responded in a big way," said MMNA President & CEO Shin Kurihara. "And the showroom traffic translated into increases for Outlander and some of our other vehicles, as well."

In November, MMNA launched its ground-breaking marketing program for the Outlander Sport by holding the World's First Online Test Drive of a vehicle, through which 52,000 consumers participated in the Guinness Book of World Records-breaking "Live Drive" event by registering at outlandersport.com.

November sales highlights include:

* Outlander sales were up 64 percent and are up more than 23 percent for the year to date.

* Endeavor sales nearly quadrupled compared to last year (up 329 percent) and are up more than 34 percent for the year.

* Galant sales were up almost 4 percent compared to last November, and are up 6.6 percent year-to-date.

* Lancer Evolution sales were up more than 46 percent for the month.

* Mitsubishi sales have increased 2.4 percent year-to-date.

Development Launched of EV-based Smart Grid System MC, MMC, and MELCO Sign Subsidy Contract with NEDO [JP]

Development Launched of EV-based Smart Grid System

MC, MMC, and MELCO Sign Subsidy Contract with NEDO

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) have agreed to collaborate on a research project being undertaken by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Acting as advisor to this project is the Tokyo Institute of Technology, which is aiming to develop Smart Grid systems that employ electric vehicles and the lithium-ion batteries used to power them.

MC, MMC and MELCO have worked on Smart Grid systems to utilize these batteries since last March. The battery business is expected to increase rapidly with the increasing proliferation of electric vehicles. The three partners applied to NEDO to take part in the research project and were accepted on August 24th. They then signed a subsidy contract under which NEDO will bear two-thirds (2/3) of the project's costs.

Subaru and Mitsubishi developing R4 versions of the Impreza and Lancer

Japanese manufacturers Subaru and Mitsubishi are both developing high performance versions of their existing Group N cars to enable them to compete on level terms with their Super 2000 rivals next year.

Armindo Araujo driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X R4 prototype

Work on the cars, based on the firms Impreza and Lancer models, began earlier this month after the FIA World Motor Sport Council gave the green light to a new ‘R4’specification.

An R4 kit, homologated by the current Group N manufacturers, should enhance the performance of the two-litre turbo cars, bringing them in line with the normally aspirated Super 2000s.

The R4 class could lead to Imprezas and Lancers competing alongside Super 2000 cars in the 2011 SWRC, and should also give the turbo cars a boost in national rallies where they already compete in the same category as the S2000s.

Yamada-Denki Co., Ltd. Starts Trial Sales of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's i-MiEV [JP]

Yamada-Denki Co., Ltd. Starts Trial Sales of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's i-MiEV

- First Collaboration in Japan between Automobile Maker and Electronics Retailer for Electric Vehicle Sales

Tokyo, December 1, 2010 - Yamada-Denki Co., Ltd. (Yamada Denki) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to start trial sales of the i-MiEV electric vehicle (EV) in Yamada Denki retail stores and sales*1 will begin from today at total of 17 stores, including Tokyo, Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures.

Yamada Denki, as part of its "smart house business," will place salespersons specialized in EVs in addition to staff from 17 stores which are already participating in an automobile sales program in order to accelerate their sales. Furthermore, Yamada-Denki will implement proactive public relations activities, such as establishing an exhibition hall for i-MiEV in the Techland Yokohama Izumi store on December 4, and moving forward will also offer total solutions to customers, such as installments of solar energy systems to charging stations, and events including test drive events.

Hiroshi Taguchi's new president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Germany GmbH

Mitsubishi Motors Germany GmbH

Hiroshi Taguchi's new president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Germany GmbH

Hattersheim, November 30, the 2010th Hiroshi Taguchi, since April 2009 member of the management of Mitsubishi Motors Germany GmbH from 1 December 2010 the new President and CEO, and sole manager of the German importer of Mitsubishi vehicles.

Hiroshi Taguchi's new president and CEO, and sole managing director of Mitsubishi Motors Germany GmbH

Hiroshi Taguchi, is employed by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation since 1984, including several years in the U.S.. Before moving to Germany Hiroshi Taguchi was General Manager in the Europe Department at the headquarters of MMC in Tokyo.

Mitsubishi ASX: Winner of the mid-engine journalists TOPAUTO Award in the category "Off-Road" [DE]

Mitsubishi ASX: Winner of the mid-engine journalists TOPAUTO Award in the category "Off-Road"

Mitsubishi ASX wins mid-engine Journalism Award

* New type of diesel with low compression for low fuel consumption and emissions

* Awards Ceremony on 26 November at the Essen Motor Show

Hattersheim / Essen, 26 November 2010. - The Mitsubishi ASX 1.8 DI-D wins this year's mid-engine TOPAUTO Journalist Prize in the category "Off-Road".

Motoring journalists in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for the sixth time called the best car models launched during model year 2011 to choose to again this year to create the coveted car Quartet. A total of 80 new products were in nine categories to choose from.

As part of the press day of the Essen Motor Show (26.11 -. 12/05/2010) announced the engine information service (mid), the winner in each category and presented numerous winning cars at the stand in Hall 3

The jury rewarded with a new compact model below the Outlander ASX located somewhere, sporty and versatile crossover model, which enforces a new diesel engine manufacturing plant.

Mitsubishi reaches 5,000 i-MiEVs produced [JP]

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Reaches 5,000 i-MiEVs Produced

Tokyo, November 24, 2010 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced that it reached 5,000 units*1 of its i-MiEV new generation electric vehicle (EV) produced at its Mizushima Plant as of November 23rd.

MMC was first in the world to start production of a full-fledged mass production EV with the i-MiEV in June of 2009. The month after that MMC introduced the i-MiEV to the Japanese market, and has sold about 3,000 units to individuals and businesses nationwide (as of end October 2010). MMC also started left-hand drive European-spec i-MiEV production from October 2010, and is steadily proceeding with global rollout of EVs.

Also, in fiscal year 2011, in order to further expand its production scale via starting North American-spec i-MiEV production, MMC plans to transfer production of the i-MiEV from the current commercial vehicle assembly line to the minicar assembly line for cars such as eK Wagon and i.

*1:Does not include EV production for PSA Peugeot Citroën

Mitsubishi Signs Cooperation Agreement to Promote Electric Vehicles with the Singapore Government [JP][SG]

Tokyo, November 19, 2010 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and its distributor in Singapore Cycle and Carriage Automotive PTE Limited (CCA) today announced the signing of a Cooperation Agreement to collaborate on activities to test-bed electric vehicles (EV) with the Singapore government.

 

A multi government agency EV task force comprising the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA), will set up an EV charging infrastructure network and evaluate the costs and benefits of EVs for future adoption. As part of the initiative, MMC, via CCA, will supply 25 i-MiEVs from 2011 and cooperate in the taskforce's test bedding efforts.

Left: Mr. Leo Yip, Chairman, Singapore Economic Development Board
Right: Mr. Osamu Masuko, President of Mitsubishi Motors

MMC Completes Renewal of Their Official Website

"Mitsubishi Motors Global Website"

Tokyo, November 18, 2010 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has completed its renewal of theirinternational website, "Mitsubishi Motors Global Website" (www.mitsubishi-motors.com) which summarizes their corporate information, following the renewal of their Japanese site, that took place back in April.

An outline of the Global Website renewal is as follows:

• Easy-to-understand categorizing and fuller contents
• Compile the corporate information which was previously given in the Japanese local website "Mitsubishi Motors Japan Official Website" (www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp) into the global website to improve accessibility.
• Re-arranged the global website to have the same context and structure as the Japanese local website.
• Establish a category named "Mitsubishi Motors Spirit" and enrich its content such as pages specifically about car designs and more.
• Establish a category named "Discoveries" that incorporates 360°viewer and wallpaper makers, which help visitors to understand Mitsubishi Motors through entertaining experiences.
• Revamp the navigation interface to improve accessibility.

Site URL 

Japanese http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/jp

English http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/en

Mitsubishi i-MiEV being used to promote UK Mayor's EV Charging Network Initiative [UK]

MITSUBISHI i-MiEV PART OF MAYOR’S DRIVE TO PROMOTE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING NETWORK - SOURCE LONDON

~ The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is being used to help promote the Mayor Boris Johnson’s electric vehicle charging network, Source London, which is to go live in Spring 2011. Transport for London (TfL) welcomed four new Mitsubishi i-MiEVs into its fleet in June, part funded by the Government’s Low Carbon Procurement Programme, as part of the Mayor’s plans to make London the electric vehicle capital of Europe ~

Tuesday 16 November 2010 - The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is being used to help promote the Mayor Boris Johnson’s electric vehicle charging network, Source London, which is to go live in Spring 2011. Transport for London (TfL) welcomed four new Mitsubishi i-MiEVs into its fleet in June, part funded by the Government’s Low Carbon Procurement Programme, as part of the Mayor’s plans to make London the electric vehicle capital of Europe.

Managing Director, Lance Bradley commented: “We are delighted that the i-MiEV is able to assist in promoting the new plans for a standardised electric vehicle charging infrastructure in London. The ‘one stop shop’ solution to charging is vital to enable the roll out of electric vehicles.”

Mitsubishi debuts the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV at the 2010 LA Auto Show [US]

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's (MMC) North American subsidiary, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) kicked the off the international auto show season with a bang today as the company unveiled its all-new, ultra-eco-friendly and affordable i-MiEV, featured the stylish new 2011 Outlander Sport crossover and announced a new partnership with Fortune 500 companies Best Buy and Eaton Corporation that will help make electric vehicle ownership easier and more attainable to the eco-conscious consumer.

[Open full article to see Picture Gallery]

The production version of the groundbreaking 100% electric-powered i-MiEV debuted at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show is sure to be a game-changer in the North American automotive landscape.

The North American i-MiEV, when compared to its Japanese- and European-spec compatriots, features a slightly larger body to provide even more interior comfort for four adults, along with redesigned front and rear bumpers for enhanced protection in the event of a collision. Active Stability Control (ASC), a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and airbags that control deployment force are standard features on the North American i-MiEV.

Best Buy and Eaton collaboration to install 220V home chargers for Mitsubishi i-MiEV [US]

Best Buy/Eaton Corporation Collaboration


A new EV charging station logistics collaboration with consumer electronics retailer Best Buy and leading power management company Eaton Corporation was announced at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.

This cooperative effort will see Best Buy, through the company's Geek Squad division - a nationwide 24-hour task force of more than 20,000 highly skilled technicians - retail, perform site analysis and is working to manage installation of advanced 220V (15A) Level 2 Charging Station equipment that will be manufactured by Eaton Corporation for an i-MiEV owner's home that will cut the battery charging time of their all-electric vehicle in half over a standard 110V (15A) electrical outlet.


Eaton Corporation, with approximately 70,000 employees doing business in more than 150 countries, is an ideal hardware partner as the company has more than 20 years experience in designing and manufacturing hybrid and electrical power systems in commercial vehicles.

Bic Camera and Mitsubishi Motors Sign Agreement for Popularization of i-MiEV [JP]

Collaboration of Certified "Eco-First Companies!"

Bic Camera and Mitsubishi Motors

Sign Agreement for Popularization of i-MiEV

Tokyo, November 9, 2010 - Bic Camera Inc. (Bic Camera) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today signed an agreement for the promotion of popularization of electric vehicles (EV) making it the first "Basic Agreement on EV Popularization" signed between an electronics company and automobile company.

Both Bic Camera and MMC are certified "Eco-first Companies" from Japan's Ministry of Environment, and they will now work together to promote electric vehicles (EV), which will play an important role in making low-carbon society a reality.

According to the Agreement, both companies will collaborate to popularize EVs by displaying i-MiEV in Bic Camera's major retail stores, and holding test drive events. As its first step, Bic Camera's Yurakucho store in Tokyo will be displaying i-MiEV at its store front as of today.

Participating Stores: Ikebukuro Flagship Store, Yurakucho Store, Shinjuku East Exit Store, Razona Kawaguchi Store, consecutively.

Activities Summary:

# Introducing i-MiEV (product introduction)

# Holding events such as i-MiEV test drives

# Forwarding customers to MMC retailers through Bic Camera

MMC signs MoU for New Joint Venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group [CN][JP]

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to Build a Collaborative Partnership in the Chinese Automobile Business with Guangzhou Automobile Group by Signing Memorandum of Understanding Towards New Joint Venture

Tokyo, November 5, 2010 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (GAC Group), each holding a 14.59% and 29.0% stake in GAC Changfeng Motor Co., Ltd. (GAC Changfeng) respectively, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to make GAC Changfeng into a new limited partnership corporation (new joint venture) owned 50% each by MMC and GAC Group.

Based on the MOU, both MMC and GAC Group will proceed to deliberate on models to be introduced, action plans, and production capacity plans, aiming to make the new joint venture company a base for collaborative business in China.

Moving forward, in order to make GAC Changfeng into the new joint venture, GAC Group plans to delist GAC Changfeng from the Shanghai Stock Exchange, and will begin delisting procedures.

The new joint venture is slated to begin operations after a share transfer agreement, joint venture agreement, and related agreements are signed, and permission and authorization is granted by relevant authorities.

GAC Group is one of the main players in the Chinese automobile industry, and is the largest car company in the Huanan region. It is well known within the industry for its high profitability. MMC, a Japanese car maker, has a long history of operating in China and it aims to further strengthen its Chinese business through the building of the collaborative relationship with GAC Group.

Mitsubishi Awarded Preferred Supplier Status by UK National Policing Improvement Agency

Wednesday 20th October 2010 – Cirencester, UK

MITSUBISHI AWARDED PREFERRED SUPPLIER STATUS BY THE NATIONAL POLICING IMPROVEMENT AGENCY

~ Mitsubishi Motors (UK) has been appointed a preferred supplier of 4x4 vehicles to the UK’s 54 Police Forces under the National Policing Improvement Agency

Framework Arrangement ~

Mitsubishi Motors is pleased to announce that they have been successful in the supply of 4x4 vehicles to the blue light marketplace by the National Policing Improvement Agency and the National Association of Police Fleet Managers.

The choice list within the 4x4 category will include the legendary Shogun and the versatile L200 range, both models of which are now amongst the best in class for tailpipe emissions. In addition to the larger 4x4s, the economical Outlander and new compact crossover ASX will also be available offering the best possible choice of practical and environmentally responsible cars with a great on-road presence.

Mitsubishi has been supplying vehicles to the UK’s police forces since the turn of the decade and vehicles such as Shogun and L200 have developed a strong pedigree for a variety of operational uses in the specialist arena.

Mitsubishi to test prototype Light Commercial Electric Vehicle built for Yamato Transport [JP]

Start of Light Commercial Electric Vehicle Field Testing for Collection/Delivery Operations

Tokyo, October 14, 2010 - Yamato Transport Co., Ltd. (Yamato Transport) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced that they have started field testing for parcel collection and delivery operations with the use of a prototype light commercial electric vehicle (EV) built by MMC.

1. Background

Yamato Transport is working to reduce environmental burden in all areas of its express home delivery operations through a series of initiatives which include: restricting the size of its delivery vehicle fleet; introducing low-emission delivery vehicles; promoting eco-friendly driving habits; reducing driving distances and promoting modal shift*. The Yamato Transport fleet comprises around 45,000 vehicles and the company is intent on contributing to the realization of a low-carbon society through the active introduction of next-generation eco-friendly vehicles. (As at the end of March 2010, the fleet included 11,538 low-emission vehicles, of which 4,659 utilize hybrid propulsion systems.)

MMC is the pioneering manufacturer in the field of mass-produced electric vehicles. The company launched the i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicle to the Japanese market in July 2009 targeting corporate, government and local authorities. In April of this year MMC started sales of i-MiEV to individual owners. The EV is the ultimate eco-car because its zero CO2 tailpipe emissions allow it to effectively address such environmental issues as air pollution, global warming and the shift away from oil. By adding a light commercial vehicle to its EV lineup – which, unit for unit, clock longer life-cycle driving distances than passenger cars – MMC is aiming to do its part to quickly make possible a low-carbon society.

Yamato Transport has been studying the use of commercial EVs which, of all next-generation vehicles, hold high promise for making possible a low-carbon society, and together with MMC, which has been pushing ahead the development and manufacture of electric commercial vehicles, has agreed to work in conducting a program of collection/delivery field tests using a light commercial EV.

*Modal shift: the shifting of road transport to rail and sea in order to reduce traffic congestion and environmental pollution.

Mitsubishi Motors Commences Production of Electric Vehicles for Europe

Mitsubishi Motors Commences Production of Electric Vehicles for Europe

Tokyo, October 6, 2010 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) 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-MiEVs overseas, this includes models built for PSA.

[L] Mitsubishi i-MiEV [C] Peugeot iOn [R] Citroen C-ZERO

PSA Peugeot Citroën and Mitsubishi Motors Signed a New Cooperative Agreement to Develop Electric Version of Peugeot Partner and Citroën Berlingo

PSA Peugeot Citroën and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Signed a

New Cooperative Agreement to Develop Electric Version of

Peugeot Partner and Citroën Berlingo

Paris / Tokyo, September 29, 2010 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and PSA Peugeot Citroën announced today that they have signed an agreement to start the technical development of an electric version of Peugeot Partner and Citroën Berlingo LCVs built at the PSA Vigo plant in Spain.

Peugeot Partner

Under this new cooperative agreement, both partners will specify all technical and industrial aspects to be able to commence production of these electric versions by the end of 2012.

Citroen Berlingo

This signature is a continuation of the previous Cooperative Agreement on the jointly-developed European Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-ZERO models based on the i-MiEV* new-generation electric vehicle.

*Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle, based on the "i" minicar

Start of SUV Production at PCMA Rus at Kaluga [RU]

Further Step for PCMA Rus, with the Start of Production of SUVs

Paris / Tokyo, September 17th, 2010 - PSA Peugeot Citroën (PSA) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announce the start of production of the Citroën C-Crosser, Peugeot 4007 and Mitsubishi Outlander SUV models at PCMA Rus, their joint plant located at Kaluga, 180 km southwest of Moscow, Russia.

After the launch of C-segment vehicles (with Peugeot 308 in April and Citroen C4 in July) the Kaluga-based factory of PSA and MMC is now starting to ramp up its production of SUVs for the three brands.

Inaugurated in April by Mr. Anatoly Artamonov, Governor of the Region of Kaluga, Phillippe Varin, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA, and Takashi Nishioka, Chairman of MMC, the factory has already assembled 11,000 vehicles.

As a result of a €470 Million investment, this factory has been able to implement production and quality processes equivalent to those in operations in any of the PSA and MMC factories, and the plant will be fully operational in 2012.

With 400 staff currently, the Kaluga factory has become a key contributor to the local economy and is another demonstration of the successful policy led by the Governor of Kaluga Region to develop an industrial cluster southwest of Moscow.

With local production of the Citroën C-Crosser, Peugeot 4007 and Mitsubishi Outlander both PSA and MMC will be able to respond quickly to the needs of Russian customers, thereby increasing their market presence.

Mitsubishi to premiere the Euro-Spec i-MiEV at the 2010 Paris Motor Show

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to Premiere the European-spec i-MiEV 100% Electric Vehicle at the 2010 Paris Motor Show

new design to the front and rear bumpers to meet EU regulations

Tokyo, August 31, 2010 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will introduce the European-spec version of its i-MiEV 100% electric vehicle at the 2010 Paris Motor Show ("Mondial de L' Automobile 2010") to be held at Paris Expo – Porte de Versailles in Paris, France from Thursday, September 30th to Sunday, October 17th (open to the general public from Saturday, October 2nd).

A total of 12 vehicles (7 on press days) will be displayed at its stand in Hall 3, including:

*The recently introduced ASX (RVR in Japan) compact crossover equipped with MMC's all-new "low impact" 4N13 diesel engine,

*The Lancer Sportback (Galant Fortis Sportback in Japan) now featuring the same 150 ps 1.8 DiD engine,

*The new Outlander 2.2 DiD mid-size crossover, whose 177 ps unit is a further derivative (4N14) of this same family of innovative diesel powerplants.

Concerning the European-spec i-MiEV, MMC plans to successively roll it out from December of this year in 14 countries*1 including France, the United Kingdom, Germany and further expand the European rollout from fiscal year 2011.

The price*2 of the European-spec i-MiEV will differ by country but will be set to around €33,000 – €35,000 (or equivalent) so that the final cost to the customer after government incentives (where applicable) remains under €30,000 (or equivalent) in a majority of the countries it is to be sold in.

*1 Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,

United Kingdom.

*2 The price includes car and batteries