Mitsubishi Motors Delivers 25 i-MiEV New-Generation Electric Vehicles to a UK Demonstration Program

Tokyo, Dec 14, 2009; Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced the delivery of 25 of its i-MiEV new-generation electric vehicles (EV) to a demonstration program for electric and ultra-low-carbon vehicles run by the West Midlands region in the United Kingdom (UK) via the UK MMC distributor Colt Car Company, Ltd.(1)(CCC). The delivery commenced on December 12th. A delivery ceremony was held in Birmingham with the officials from the UK government's Technology Strategy Board(2)(TSB), the West Midlands government, CCC, and MMC.

The demonstration program that the i-MiEVs were delivered to will begin this month, led by the TSB, and works with municipalities, electric power companies, automobile makers, among others, in a collaborative effort to promote ultra-low-carbon vehicles. The program puts electric and other ultra-low-carbon vehicles that meet certain standards for CO2 emissions and cruising range into the hands of individuals to actually experience them on the UK's roads. By doing so, the program aims to ascertain the practicality of these ultra-low-carbon vehicles while promoting the construction of infrastructure for these types of vehicles.

MMC launched its i-MiEV in Japan in July of this year. Looking to move towards full-fledged global distribution in 2010, MMC is currently involved in global testing and promotional activities.

(1) Colt Car Company, Ltd.: A 100% subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation.
(2) Technology Strategy Board: a business-focused organization dedicated to promoting technology-enabled innovation across the UK.