Heuliez begins accepting orders for Friendly electric car in France

Last fall at the Paris Motor Show, auto parts supplier and part-time vehicle assembler Heuliez debuted an electric car called the Friendly. As of Thursday, the three-seat electric vehicles were made available for pre-order on the internet. Three different versions of the Friendly will be available, all sporting nickel metal hydride battery packs that offer a range of between 100 and 250 kilometers (60-155 miles). Starting price is 12,000 euros ($15,500 in the U.S.). A deposit of 10 euros reportedly places the purchaser on a priority ordering list and deliveries are expected to begin in February of 2010.

Earlier this month, Pininfarina and Bolloré put their French electric car up for order as well. Called the BlueCar, this EV will cost €330 per month to lease (no purchases) and will also be good for 250 kilometers (155 miles). What's the over/under on which one makes it to production first?

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]