Mitsubishi Motors Corp. has priced its new electric vehicle at 4.38 million yen, or $45,660 at current exchange rates, and wants EVs to account for 20 percent of its global output by 2020.
Mitsubishi unveiled the production version of its i MiEV battery-powered car on Friday, saying it aims for 1,400 lease sales to corporate customers and local governments by March 31, 2010. The i MiEV goes on sale in Japan late next month.
Separately, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. unveiled an electric version of the Subaru Stella small car, also priced above $40,000. But Mitsubishi's sales goals are more ambitious than those for the Stella and include some overseas sales. The Subaru Stella won't be sold outside Japan.
Europe gets a version of the i MiEV next year. The U.S. launch of the lithium-ion battery-powered car comes after that. Those prices haven't been announced.
Individual sales in Japan start in April 2010. Mitsubishi will begin taking those orders in July.
Buyers can qualify for a $14,490 green-car subsidy from the government, bringing the cost down to $31,170.
