Mitsubishi Motors (UK) has announced the pricing and specification of its all-new urban crossover vehicle, the ASX.

Mitsubishi’s Managing Director, Lance Bradley, commented that,

“This is the right car, at the right time, at the right price and specification. The CO₂ reducing technologies will appeal to fleets, user-choosers and retail customers alike – indeed, early customer reaction has been very positive with advance orders already taken.

“We’re targeting customers who would traditionally buy a C-segment car, such as the VW Golf and Ford Focus, but also people looking to down-size from their SUV or family estate car. With the ASX you really do get the best of every world.

“It’s a game-changer for us, which could easily become a new ‘hero’ vehicle for the brand and heralds the advent of our new ‘Intelligent Motion’ philosophy.”

Positioning

• New Active Sports Crossover (X-over) from Mitsubishi to compete in the expanding crossover marketplace against rivals like Nissan’s Qashqai
• Highly competitive pricing from £14,999 to £22,049
• UK sales start July 1 2010
• Range largely 2WD (front wheels), with AWC electronically controlled 4WD offered on the 1.8 DiD

Engines/transmissions

• Choice of two Euro V engines:
  
  • 1.6 petrol – 115bhp @ 6,000 rpm, 114lb.ft @ 4,000 rpm
  • 1.8 DiD turbodiesel 147bhp @ 4,000 rpm, 221lb.ft @ 2,000-3,000 rpm
• 5 Speed manual transmission on the 1.6-litre petrol, 6-speed manual on 1.8 DiD diesel
• AWC electronically controlled 4×4 system offered with 1.8 DiD turbodiesel

Environment

• World first passenger car application of variable valve timing with a diesel engine
• Automatic Stop & Go, electric power steering, low rolling resistance tyres, regenerative brakes (Generation Control System), low viscosity oil, LED lighting and weight reduction measures all contribute to the ASX’s excellent emissions and economy

Equipment

• Standard equipment on all includes alloy wheels, air conditioning, Automatic Stop & Go, Active Stability Control and Traction Control, aux-in jack, keyless entry, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, dual stage front side and curtain airbags, driver’s knee airbag, tilt and telescopic steering column
• ASX 3 gains fully automatic air conditioning, one touch starting, cruise control, heated seats, privacy glass, audio wheel controls, Bluetooth™, leather covered steering wheel and shift knob, automatic lights and windscreen wipers, chrome exterior detailing
• ASX 4 gains leather seats and Kenwood in-car entertainment incorporating iPod control, sat nav and a reversing camera

Safety

• Euro NCAP 5-star
• The ASX features Mitsubishi’s RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) energy dispersion crash safety structure. Further improving safety all ASX come with whiplash reducing seats, up to 7 airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Active Stability Control, traction Control, Hill Start Assist and Emergency Stop signal System
• Pedestrian protection measures including plastic front wings, a double bulge bonnet and energy absorbing front bumper

Performance/technical specifications

Wheelbase (mm): 2670mm

Dimensions L/W/H (mm): 4295 / 1770 / 1625

Track F/R 1525 / 1525

Kerb Weight (kg) 1270 (ASX2); 1290 (ASX3&4 Petrol); 1450 (ASX3&4 Diesel); 1525 (ASX3&4 Diesel 4WD)

Fuel tank capacity (litres): 63 (60 – 4wd)

Front (rear) axle: MacPherson strut (multi link)

Boot capacity seats up/down 442 / 1193 litres

Towing capacity (braked) 1100kg petrol / 1400kg diesel

Service Intervals: Petrol: 12,500/12 Months; Diesel: 9,000/12 months

Warranty:3-year unlimited mileage, 12 year anti-corrosion perforation and 3-year pan-European roadside, home and accident assistance

Pricing, Insurance Groups, Volumes and Model Mix

Metallic Paint costs £440 including VAT. The List Price includes VAT at 17.5% and the cost of delivery to the dealer’s premises, but excludes Government Road Fund Licence and First Registration Fee.

Sales in the first 12 months of full production are expected to be in the range of 3,000 – 5,000 units.

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• THE NEW MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPECS & PRICING
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Mitsubishi Motors (UK) has just announced details of the new face-lifted Outlander crossover, which boasts a number of new features including the availability of the twin-clutch Sports Shift Transmission SST (also found on Lancer Evolution and Lancer Ralliart models).

The ‘Juro’ Special Edition

The first derivative of the new range will be a Special Edition variant, the “Juro” which will be available at Mitsubishi dealers from 1^st July, the rest of the range will arrive in October.

New Outlander – Product Enhancements

New Outlander features the following product enhancements:

New Exterior Appearance Features:

• Distinctive ‘Jet-Fighter’ grille gives Outlander the family face of Mitsubishi – in line with Lancer Evolution, Lancer and Colt
• New front skid plate
• New side sill garnish – black material with chrome accent
• New colour keyed door mirror with side turn lamp
• New chrome bezels for front fog lamps

New Interior Features:

The interior passenger environment is dramatically enhanced with the introduction of faux leather and contrasting stitching on the dashboard and door panels. Furthermore, a new high contrast colour LCD instrument meter display gives a higher quality feel than the current display.

New Technical Features:

•  Twin-clutch SST Transmission

The SST ‘auto’ transmission (except Equippe) uses two clutches, one to engage the gear in use the other to pre-select the next gear required, which ensures that the gear change takes place instantaneously. This innovative technology saves on CO₂ emissions and massively reduces power loss through the range. With no torque converter, this 6-speed TC-SST gearbox is more efficient than a normal automatic.

• Hill start assist

Hill start assist automatically holds the brakes for about 2 seconds to prevent the vehicle from slipping backwards on steep slopes.

• Upgraded ETACS

Electric Time and Alarm Control System (ETACS) controls the functionality of all electronic devices on board

• Emergency Stop signal System (ESS)

The ESS system automatically detects sever braking to engage the hazard warning lights and also increase braking efficiency. This is just one of the innovative technologies incorporated into the Outlander range to give it its Euro NCAP

Product Line Up and Specification – Outlander Juro

The first new Outlander derivative to be available will be the Juro Special Edition.

Juro Specification:

Based on the current Warrior specification (without front resin guard and chrome items) the Juro offers a comprehensive specification to include:

• 2.2 diesel engine
• Choice of manual or SST auto transmissions
• Leather seats as standard
• New design 18″ alloy wheels
• Privacy glass
• Metallic paint as standard

Colours:

The Juro will be available in the following metallic colours at no extra cost:

• Tanzanite Blue (metallic)
• Amethyst Black (metallic)
• Cool Silver (metallic)

Pricing:

The new Outlander Juro list price, including free metallic paint (excluding VED and FRF), will be as follows:

• Outlander 2.2 DI-D Juro Manual £25,999 List Price
• Outlander 2.2 DI-D Juro SST £27,199 List Price

Aftersales and servicing:

The new Outlander range comes complete with 12-month / 12,500 mile service intervals, and for just £315 including VAT the customer gains 3-years / 37,500 servicing under the Mitsubishi Service Plan (MSP).

MSP has constantly had in excess of 99% take-up with customers as it offers such great value, especially when coupled with Mitsubishi’s 3-year unlimited mileage warranty and pan-European breakdown and accident management service, which is standard on all passenger cars.

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• THE ALL-NEW MITSUBISHI ASX CROSSOVER
• THE L200 TROJAN DOUBLE CAB – PRICING AND SPECIFICATION

Mitsubishi Motors (UK) has just announced news of its latest popular special edition of its market-leading L200 pick-up truck – the L200 Trojan double cab, which goes on sale today and is available at any of Mitsubishi’s 122 UK dealers.

The 10MY L200 Trojan will only be available with Mitsubishi’s ‘standard bed’ option and is positioned to sit just below the L200 Warrior in specification and pricing, whilst offering exceptional value for money.

The vehicle will feature the following high level of standard equipment:

• Euro IV 2.5 DI-D common rail turbodiesel engine with either 134bhp /314Nm
• 16” Alloy Wheels
• Rear Differential Lock
• Super Select 4WD
• CD Player with MP3
• Multifunction trip computer
• Climate control
• Rear electric window
• Chrome electric door mirrors with heater/folding function
• Colour coded wheel arch extensions
• Privacy glass
• Chrome outer door handles
• CAT 1 Alarm System

Colours and options:

The 10MY L200 Trojan will be available in two colours; Aztec Red (R59) and Cosmos

Black (X08) and has the option of full leather trim at £1,200 excluding VAT.

Vehicle pricing:

Competitively priced, the Trojan will cost:

• OT9 L200 2.5 DI-D Trojan Double Cab Manual £15,999 CVLP
• OU0 L200 2.5 DI-D Trojan Double Cab Manual (Leather) £17,199 CVLP
• Metallic paint (Cosmos Black) will cost an additional £350 (Ex VAT).

The complete package

The L200 Trojan package is aimed at supporting the UK’s recovering building, plumbing, electrician and agricultural markets which have been suffering in recent months due to the credit crunch, but are now showing decent signs of recovery.

The vehicle has 12-month / 12,500 mile service intervals, includes pan-European breakdown and accident management service, and three years servicing costs just £415 excluding VAT. When combined with class-leading residual values it really is a great choice for business users demanding rugged style, versatility and performance.

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Mitsubishi Motors (UK) has announced the on-sale price of the Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle – the i-MiEV.

Price and Incentives

For orders delivered to the customer from January 1^st 2011, to coincide with the UK government’s recently announced Consumer Incentive Scheme, the price has been set at £33,699 including VAT. The government grant will be worth £5,000 off the purchase price of qualifying electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

The ultra-low running costs of the i-MiEV are a key advantage over other cars, with  additional incentives including:

• Only £115 fuel costs for 12,000 miles driving (£0.96 pence for a full charge)
• Low servicing costs and downtime – only approximately 4 working parts compared to over 300 in a typical internal combustion engine
• Exempt from road tax (saving approx £300 per annum)
• First year capital allowances for fleet vehicles
• Zero benefit-in-kind company car tax
• Lower rate of VAT for domestic electricity
• Exempt from congestion charge (saving up to £2,000 per annum)
• Free parking in many London boroughs and cities such as Milton Keynes
• Expected high residual values due to high demand outstripping supply for several years to come

Lance Bradley, Mitsubishi Motors UK’s MD

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

“These are exciting times for the motor industry in the UK. This is the biggest change in the automotive industry since it began some one hundred years ago, so to be able to offer our zero emissions car for this price is a truly great achievement.

We are aware that, by their very nature, any new technologies always command a premium, which has been true for anything from plasma televisions to cars. Others make price claims and estimations, but we have a real vehicle that is available now and is proven in the real world.”

Customer Orders

Mitsubishi’s newly opened Electric Vehicle Centre in Central London has already taken its first orders for delivery in January, and enquiry levels have soared following the Government’s consumer incentive announcement on 25^th February.

The Mitsubishi Electric Vehicle Centre has been operational for customer enquiries and demonstrations since mid-February and customers can contact the Centre on 0207 546 8331 or via email at imiev@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk.

Personalise with Bespoke Accessories

The i-MiEV’s award-winning design makes a big statement in its own right, but Mitsubishi Motors (UK) will also be offering a bespoke accessory programme for the i-MiEV.

Customers will be able to fully personalise their car from a wide range of environmentally friendly and premium accessories including floor mats made from bio-degradable bamboo fibre; specialist leather seat trims including a monogram service; and a special collection of exterior vehicle designs – from Union Jack Flags to special customer requests.

UKSpecification

The European Whole Type Vehicle Approved i-MiEV has been engineered to achieve a target Euro NCAP crash test rating of 4-stars and illustrates that customers do not need to compromise in any area.

The days of the ‘milk float’ mentality are truly over as the following specification proves.

Vital Statistics:

• Zero CO₂ tailpipe emissions
• Top speed 81 mph
• Range 80 miles (EU combined mode, estimated)
• Seating capacity – 4 adults, plus luggage
• 12-months / 12,500 miles service intervals
• 3-year warranty and pan-European accident and breakdown cover
• Kerb weight – 1,105 KG
• Dimensions – 3,475 (l) x 1,475 (w) x 1,610 (h)

Mechanical:

• 47kW AC permanent magnet synchronous motor (max power)
• 1-speed fixed gear
• Front McPherson strut and coil spring suspension
• Rear 3-link de Dion suspension
• Front stabilizer bars
• Front 14″ ventilated disc brakes
• Rear 8″ drum brakes
• 9″ master vac brake boosters
• ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution)
• Brake assist
• ASC (Active Stability Control)

Exterior:

• Alloy wheels
• All-round ‘green’ glass
• Colour-keyed front bumper
• Projector type halogen headlamps with levelling device
• Variable intermittent windshield wiper and washers
• Black foldable and electronically controlled door mirrors
• Rear combi LED lamps with clear glass
• Colour-keyed rear bumper with rear fog lamp
• Roof Spoiler with High-mount stop lamp
• Tailgate intermittent wiper and washer

Interior:

• All-round electric windows
• Central door locking with keyless entry
• Driver’s and front passenger’s SRS front airbags
• Side and curtain air bags
• 3-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel
• Leather wrapped shift knob
• Headlamp levelling device
• Odo and Twin trip and Rest driving range meter
• EV system check warning indicator
• Activation complete buzzer and indicator
• Batteryremaining indicator
• Dusk sensor
• Glove box with card holder
• Instrument panel secret box (above glove box)
• Front cup holders (floor console, front of the passenger)
• Electrical manual air conditioner with deodorant filter
• Front 2 speakers and Front 2 tweeters
• Seat belt warning (driver, front passenger)
• Front passenger air bag cut off switch
• ASC on/off switch

EV Functions:

• Brakeforce regeneration
• Lightweight electronic power steering
• On-board recharging system with cable (flat-to-full in 6-hours, 240V 13 A input)
• On-board rapid charging system (flat-to-80 in 30 minutes)
• Energy-saving drive mode (reduces output to 18kW)

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Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will premiere its ASX all-new compact crossover from Tuesday March 2, 2010 to Sunday March 14, 2010 at the 80th Geneva International Motor Show held at the Geneva Palexpo in Switzerland.

The ASX is the European-spec version of the Japanese RVR, which is slated to go on sale in Japan from February 2010.  MMC’s new compact crossover will seat 5 and will be sequentially introduced in European countries from late spring 2010, aimed at expanding MMC’s passenger car footprint in the region, following in the footsteps of the larger and recently redesigned Outlander mid-size crossover.

Amongst other available powertrains, the European-spec version will be fitted with an all-new Euro 5-compliant 1.8L turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine jointly developed by MMC and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and will feature “Automatic Stop & Go” technology. Together with a 6-speed manual transmission, this combination will provide high environmental efficiency.

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The Mitsubishi i-MiEV has today become the first zero emissions fully electric city car to be used on the government funded Technology Strategy Board user trials.

It has a top speed of 81 mph, a range of 100 miles1 and can be trickle charged from flat to full in seven hours at any UK three-pin socket – costing under £1 for a full charge. In addition the i-MiEV can be fast-charged from flat to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes using the quick charger.

Mr Genichiro Nishina, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Europe, said: ‘Mitsubishi Motors takes an holistic approach to environmental and sustainability issues at every stage of the vehicle’s design, production and in-service lifecycle. The i-MiEV is the most prominent element of our basket of environmental solutions, which makes the prospect of ultra-low carbon transport a present-day reality’.

Endorsing the programme as an i-MIEV driver in the trials, Quentin Willson, said: ‘These first EVs that go on the Technology Strategy Board’s trial mark the start of a seismic shift in the sort of cars we drive and how we power them.

‘The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is a forerunner of a transport revolution that eventually will change the world. At last here’s an electric car that doesn’t look like a church pew, seats four, does 80 mph and costs less than a quid to charge. What is there not to love?’

This is the first stage of a Government-supported UK-wide project to trial electric and ultra low emission vehicles – and begins in the West Midlands today. The keys to 25 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) will be given to independent drivers – including automotive expert Quentin Willson – to test over the next 12 months by the CABLED (Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Vehicle Demonstrators) consortium in Centenary Square, Birmingham.

The CABLED consortium will manage the project after being confirmed in June as one of eight successful teams in the £25 million Technology Strategy Board Ultra Low Emission Vehicle Demonstrator Competition. The consortium brings together the expertise of 13 West Midlands-based organisations within the engineering, automotive manufacturing, academic, public and infrastructure sectors, and is led by global engineering consultancy Arup.

The project is worth £15 million and will trial 110 vehicles on the roads of Birmingham and Coventry. UK-wide, 340 vehicles are being tested using funding from the Technology Strategy Board. As well as being the largest, CABLED is the first consortium to begin vehicle trials and has recently gained further public backing thanks to £2.5 million funding awarded by Advantage West Midlands (a regional development agency).

Neil Butcher, Arup’s project leader of the CABLED consortium said: ‘Less than 1% of the vehicles registered every year in the UK are electric and most of these are currently used in London. We think that by 2020, low carbon cars will be commercially viable, and it’s important that we start to understand the public’s reaction and provide the necessary infrastructure to prepare for this.

‘Today’s launch is a landmark occasion for the UK automotive industry, and this project will begin to examine the points where the vehicles meet the built environment – energy generation, battery charging and driver behaviour. This is an important first step on our roads to a low-carbon future.’

Drivers selected for the trials of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and 85 other vehicles were chosen through an application process led by Coventry University. The other five manufacturers that will roll out vehicles in 2010, include:

* Smart ed x 40 electric cars
* Tata Indica x 25 electric car
* Microcab x 10 Hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicles
* Land Rover Range_e x 5 plug in hybrid vehicles
* LTI x 5 electric taxis

Martyn Mangan, automotive cluster manager for Advantage West Midlands, said: ‘The West Midlands is expertly positioned to co-ordinate these trials, as home to the UK’s largest regional automotive industry and around 60 per cent of our annual industry research and development is commissioned here.

‘CABLED is also a shining example of the West Midlands’ advanced capabilities in manufacturing, engineering and infrastructure. It will play a key role in the wider availability of low emission vehicles on the UK roads, and Advantage West Midlands is fully committed to its development.’

The consortium also benefits from a firm commitment to developing the necessary infrastructure to co-ordinate the trials from E.ON, Birmingham City Council and Coventry City Council, who will provide electrical charging points for vehicles across the two cities as well as access to the University of Birmingham’s hydrogen refuelling station. During the trials, Aston University will be analysing and reporting its conclusions from the data generated by the vehicles.

Iain Gray, Chief Executive of the Technology Strategy Board said: ‘We created the Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator competition to act as a catalyst for industry, the public sector and academia to collaborate to provide low emission vehicles and solutions to powering them.

‘The journey towards low carbon transport will not be easy, but the demonstrator programme is the biggest project of its kind to date and is a major step in the right direction.’

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The fast charger, supplied by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), allows the i-MiEV to recharge from flat to eighty per cent full in just 30 minutes.

The charger’s key specification includes:

3-phase 400V input
DC out power of 50kW
Maximum DC output voltage of 500V
Maximum DC output current of 100 amperes
Stand-alone unit measuring approximately 200 x 100 x 80 cms (h x w x d)
Greater Scope For ‘City Hopping’ 
You can already commute from Brighton to Central London on a daily basis in the i-MiEV, but the option to quick charge at motorway service areas and superstore car parks gives this multi award winning city car even more scope for longer journeys and greater convenience for the end user.

The average daily journey in the UK, however, is estimated to be less than 30 miles, so vehicle owners can already use their three-pin socket domestic supply, which costs less than a Pound for a full charge. Those with a longer commute can easily ‘refill’ at their workplace before the journey home.

Fast Charge Revolution
Managing Director, Lance Bradley commented ‘the fast charge function will revolutionise the way people think about the practicalities of Electric Vehicles. This is particularly significant with the launch of the Plugged in Places initiative by the Department for Transport, which is seeking to accelerate the implementation of the UK’s charging infrastructure’.

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Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announces today the forthcoming introduction of its all-new on-road Compact Crossover, to be retailed first in Japan from February 2010 onwards.

Derived from the much-acclaimed 2007 Concept-cX show car, it is the latest development of MMC’s mid-size global platform (‘Project Global’).

This most important product will further support Mitsubishi Motors’ strategic shift from being an SUV-focused nameplate to a manufacturer of environment-friendly passenger cars & crossovers*, with a presence in the ‘authentic off-roader’ segment** – itself pre-empting structural changes in market demand.

As such – and after i-MiEV – this on-road Compact Crossover will be the Corporation’s next game changer towards lower impact vehicles, in their format and/or in the innovative MMC proprietary technologies they will feature.

The European premiere is scheduled for the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

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The Mitsubishi Motors i MiEV city car was announced as the winner of the Japanese Car of the Year ‘Most Advanced Technology’ award yesterday at the 41st Tokyo International Motor Show 2009.

Full-Production, No Compromise
This no-compromise zero-emissions car was praised for the way it has applied its advanced lithium-ion battery technology into a full four-seat family city car, and having achieved full-production status.1

The car was available in Japan from July this year with all 1,400 of this year’s units destined for the Japanese market already sold. An additional 900 orders have also been received in Japan for the 2010 build allocation.

European production is scheduled to begin in October 2010 and will be available in left hand drive markets across Continental Europe towards the end of the year, according to market. The UK, which benefits from being a right hand drive market as in Japan, will see its first cars go onto UK roads in December this year.

Mitsubishi Motors’ EV and PHEV Expertise
The Japanese Car of the Year award underlines Mitsubishi Motors’ long standing expertise in the field of electric vehicles since the early 1970s. It also further enforces Mitsubishi Motors’ place at the forefront of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle development and signals excellent progress towards its stated goal of having 20% of total production as either electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by 2020.

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• THE UK POLICE CHARGE AHEAD WITH MITSUBISHI ALL-ELECTRIC i MiEV CITY CAR
• Mitsubishi i-MiEV

The all-electric i MiEV city car is now helping Police Forces across the UK to crack down on crime whilst cracking down on CO2 emissions.

The i MiEV in full police livery was showcased at the National Police Show in September, where it was an instant show stopper. Since then, Mitsubishi Motors has been inundated with requests from UK Police Forces to trial the i MiEV.

With a range of 100 miles and a top speed of 81mph, it is the ideal vehicle for urban policing. In addition, with the ability to carry four adult passengers and equipment in comfort, the i MiEV is a versatile community policing vehicle.

Managing Director, Lance Bradley, commented: ‘The i MiEVs have been in the UK on trial for almost a year now and we are delighted that Police Forces in the UK are able to see that the future of zero emissions driving requires no compromise.’

The first full-production i MiEVs arrive in the UK in November 2009 and will be on the road in December 2009, with West Midlands Police being the first force to run the vehicle in full operational use.

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Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today announced global production, as well as domestic sales and export figures for August 2009.

Production: total and in Japan
Total global production for August came in at 62,924 units, a decline of 32.1 percent over August 2008 and the eighteenth consecutive monthly decrease since March 2008. Production volume in Japan was down 42.9 percent at 32,824 units as a 15.9 percent increase in commercial vehicle output (6,276 units) failed to counter a 49.0 percent decrease in passenger car output (26,548 units) over the same month last year to see year-on-year output fall for the tenth consecutive month.

Sales in Japan
Vehicle sales in Japan in August totalled 12,082 units to record a 15.0 percent year-on-year rise and the first increase in 24 months since September 2007. Sales of passenger cars were 18.2 percent up at 9,291 units while sales of commercial vehicles were 5.6 percent up at 2,791 units. Registered vehicle sales volume, at 4,519 units, was 22.8 percent up on the same month last year, driven by a 77.0 percent, 48.4 percent, 17.9 percent and 36.8 percent increases respectively in year-on-year sales of the Colt, Colt Plus, Outlander and Pajero models. City car sales volume showed a 10.8 percent increase at 7,563 units, with a 20.0 percent, 22.6 percent and 20.0 percent increases respectively in sales of the Pajero Mini, Minicab Truck and Minicab Van models.

Production overseas
Overseas production volume totalled 30,100 units, 14.5 percent down over August last year and the eighteenth consecutive monthly decline. By region, output in North America was 54.3 percent down at 2,447 units with production returning to a 4-day week basis. In Europe, output was 14.7 percent up at 2,308 units helped by firm sales of the Colt in Germany. In Asia, output was 7.7 percent down at 22,226 units as a 169.3 percent increase at China Motor Corp in Taiwan and a 229.2 percent increase at South East (Fujian) Motor in China failed to offset continuing low levels of production in Indonesia and Thailand.

Export shipments from Japan
Exports from Japan totalled 16,720 units, 66.8 percent down in August 2008, marking the tenth consecutive month of year-on-year decreases. Exports to Asia, at 2,733 units, were just 4.9 percent down on the back of firm shipments to China. Exports to Europe were 83.0 percent down at 4,143 units due mainly to slow sales in Russia. Export shipments to North America, at 3,138 units, fell by 32.5 percent over the same month last year.

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Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) began delivery of its i-MiEV electric city car in Japan from July 2009, mainly to corporations and local authorities.

Since then, MMC has already received orders for all 1,400 units to be distributed during the 2009 fiscal year.

MMC plans to start sales to individuals from April 2010 tapping into an additional set of customers. In preparation, it started to take pre-orders through dealerships since 31st July 2009. At the end of August, after only a month, 900 pre-orders were already received.

MMC expects that individual customers will come from various households throughout Japan, owning multiple vehicles and using i-MiEV as their second car for a wide range of applications (i.e.: going to work, shopping, leisure, etc.). Main purchasing reasons such as its ‘eco-friendliness,’ ‘it can be charged at home,’ etc…, reflect its convenience, as well as ‘good fuel economy and cheap maintenance,’ demonstrating interest in its economic efficiency.

MMC has already begun sequential delivery of this fiscal year’s batch from July 23rd, and has already delivered 387 units (as of August 31st).

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