The projected deal between the two manufacturers will call for them working together on the development and production of engine components, but they may go even further and provide hybrid vehicles to each other, the Nikkei business daily reported. Additionally, Mitsubishi will provide PSA with large capacity lithium-ion batteries through an affiliate.
The two manufacturers are already involved in an on-going agreement through which Mitsubishi is to provide the French with its i-MiEV electric car starting early next year. Another joint venture in Russia is not out of the question.
As we said, the news comes to complete the one we brought you yesterday, to give a more complete picture on how the future European EV and plug-in hybrid market will look like. The Renault-Nissan alliance said they are planning the construction of no less than 4 battery production facilities.
The two are planning to build the respective plants in countries they already operate in, like Spain, the UK and France.
Even if Nissan says a final decision about European expansion has not yet been made, it is likely the two will do so, in light of their projected 2011 EV assault. In fact, both companies' future plans seem to have something to do with 2011: Nissan will launch the first EV in Portugal, Denmark, Israel, the United States and Japan, while Renault will bring its very own version the same year.
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