Confirmed: Mitsubishi Brings i MiEV in the US

Mitsubishi finally confirmed that it will introduce a small electric car in various markets around the world, including the United States, as soon as 2010. Dubbed i MiEV, the model will be powered by a 330-volt lithium-ion battery and is expected to be launched in Europe in 2010. According to Autonews, the American unveiling is projected to take place soon after that.

Now on display at the 2009 New York International Auto Show, the car will have a price tag of around $30,000 in Japan. However, the American model will be slightly different in order to comply with local regulations but the main features will remain basically the same, Moe Durand, a product spokesman for Mitsubishi Motors North America, was quoted as saying by the aforementioned source.

"This is smaller than a B-segment car," Durand said. "We're not going to make it bigger. The beauty of the car is its size."

Launching an electric car during so difficult economic times seems to be the best idea, especially when talking about the United States, a region that was seriously affected by the recession. From this point of view, Mitsubishi expressed his commitment to evolve into the green car sector and hinted that the company expects very high sales from the American flavor of i MiEV.

"Electric vehicles are one branch of the automotive landscape and we are dedicated to providing these technology-sourced solutions as an important path for the world's clean-air options," Mitsubishi Motors North America President and CEO Shinichi Kurihara stated. "We believe the i MiEV delivers on the promise of sustainability, suitable range, performance, and innovative packaging and styling."