BREAKING: Mitsubishi to sell electric vehicle in the U.S.
Needless to say, gambling is risky. So it's apropos that in Las Vegas last week, Mitsubishi announced their intentions to sell an electric vehicle in the U.S.
According to an article in Automotive News, Mitsubishi's president, Osamu Masuko, made the announcement during the annual dealer's meeting held in the City of Sin. The lithium-ion powered vehicle will be made available in Japan first and will then find its way onto U.S. soil. The automaker has been toying with both electrics and hybrid in Japan, and intends to import both in the coming years.
Although the electric-powered model may carry a bit more cachet than the traditional hybrid route, we're curious as to what, if anything has materialized out of the Concept-CT that Mitsu debuted earlier this year at the NAIAS. The concept had a 1.1-liter engine, partnered with individual electric motors that fed power to each wheel and, hence, was transmission-less. More development of that concept, which would aid in the R and D of fuel-cell powertrains, may be more forward thinking.
Considering the sorry state of things at Mitsubishi, this may be one of their biggest gambles yet and since no time frame was outlined during the conference, we're a little hesitant to think of this as anything more than ambitious intentions. And you know which path is lined with good intentions, right?
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eugene 5:03AM (10/09/2006)
I doubt that Mitsubishi will develop something revolutionary. Anyway CT concept looks very beautiful ;)
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Joey 1:35AM (1/27/2007)
It looks like Bangles BMW humped an Infiniti FX.
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DPC car videos 5:40AM (10/09/2006)
Yes the sides are BMW for sure.
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Brian W 6:36AM (10/09/2006)
I think they said it was designed to look like a propeller?
I thought they said it would be out in 09 or 10 last year?
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rvr 8:06AM (10/09/2006)
i think that concept is pretty silly looking. i hope they move the design language of the concept x forward and further refine that. as for electric, i'm dying for someone to start doing something more adventurous, and mitsu needs to make bold moves. in-wheel motors would be a great start, and maybe they could do a hybrid with a full plug-in option. for commuters it's the thing that makes the most sense to save on gas and lower emissions.
also, it's "cachet", not "cache". ;)
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Justin 8:36AM (10/09/2006)
While I can't help but applaude them for going for it...I'm also afraid Mitsubishi isn't the company to be trying this. But hey, it may work out well. Honestly, I don't care if it ends up looking like a Ford Escort, if it works well and sells, bravo.
Bad dreams involving EV1's...
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blitzkrieg79 9:26AM (10/09/2006)
Actually has been working on MIEV technology since the early 1990's so it's ot something they just came out with recently. They have a working prototype of MIEV Lancer Evo and MIEV Colt and everything seems to be looking good.
If somehow they'll be able to lower the price of this technology and become cheaper than Toyota or Honda hybrids then I think this has a potential for success especially in Japan and Europe. The current hybrids are overrated, too expensive (especially when your warranty expires), not enough power, don't get the advertised gas mileage, and as far as environment goes there are PZEV engines who emmit about as much pollution as hybrids while costing a lot less.
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Seabass 9:46AM (10/09/2006)
Who Revived the Electric Car?
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RichardVTG 11:34AM (10/09/2006)
I personally think the concept car was beautiful and perfect concept for the current US trends. It was my favorite compact car concept among all others. I don't know why I didn't see it on magazines????
Found some photos online -
http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/naias_2006/0602_mitsubishi_concept_ct/index.html
http://research.cars.com/go/features/autoshows/vehicle.jsp?autoshow=&vehicletype=concept&autoshowyear=2006&vehicle=concept_mitsu_CT
http://www.supercars.net/Gallery?cmd=viewCarGallery&carID=3330&pgID=1
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Will Wheeler 11:57AM (10/09/2006)
It may be a gamble for Mitsu, but going this direction makes it a lot easier to get to the front of the pack, instead of competing with the likes of Honda and Toyota with a combustion car. I also think with the introduction of the Tesla roadster, the market has changed it's view on what an electric car should be. Telsa proved that you can have a fast, desireable, and somewhat practical(for a two seater anyway) electric car.
I honestly hope this technology catches on, so we can break free of the dependence on oil. This is the result of the free market at work. High gas prices drove people to demand innovation, and when the market demands it, someone will deliver.
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EquinsuOcha 12:55PM (10/09/2006)
If you really want to get yourself and tingly in the nether-regions, do a little research on the MIEV Lancer Evolution. 276hp AWD in an almost linear torque curve. Couple that with a combustion recharging system, a VERY low center of gravity, and Super All Wheel Control, and you've got a hybrid that could smoke 90% of the cars on the road and get over 50mpg. It's a huge risk, but one that revolutionize the industry. I would own a MIEV CT in a heartbeat.
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Shawn 12:56PM (10/09/2006)
What is the point of this? You're not breaking any "dependence on oil." You're just switching from crack to cocaine. Where do you think this magical "electricity" comes from? The grid is already maxed out, and who wants a new powerplant near their home?
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Peter 1:55AM (10/10/2006)
"Where do you think this magical "electricity" comes from? The grid is already maxed out, and who wants a new powerplant near their home?"
It is still a better solution. Electric cars are more efficient than even the most efficient hybrid. It is also more efficient and pollution reducing to burn fossil fuels in high efficiency turbines.
As long as we have civilization, electricity will be a viable fuel source, whether it comes from burning fossil fuels, wind, solar, hydro, nuclear, what have you.
There is already a complete distribution network for electricity.
Bring on the electric IMO. The only missing link is a better battery and EEStore or Flywheels may solve that as well. If that happens, look out.
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Poe 10:27PM (10/09/2006)
Amen, Peter! I agree 100% (except it's "EEStor" not "EEStore").
Listen up Mitsubishi: If you can meet these simple requirements, I'll buy one as soon as you can get it here.
1) Range: At least 150 miles.
2) Max speed: at least 70 MPH.
3) Air conditioning (S.C. is steamy in the summer).
4) MSRP: Less than $20k.
I SOOOO want to give the middle-east the finger! Bring it.
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GOT 9:53AM (10/10/2006)
A great idea would be to have the IC-motor produce the electricity... which is what it looks like they are working on. That way, like it says in the article, there is no tranny! I'd buy it... if done right of course.
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lory 6:03PM (11/07/2006)
This post is more interest for know the real potency of electric vehicle. compliments for job
Have a nice day
lory
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