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Mitsubishi expects to sell only 4,000 Outlander PHEVs in first year in US

First, it was late 2013 or early 2014. Then it was the fall of 2014. And then it was "roughly" April 2016. Now we can strike "roughly" from the record: the Outlander Plug-In Hybrid will finally arrive in the US in April 2016. Alex Fedorak, public relations manager, Mitsubishi Motors North America, told AutoblogGreen that the company is now "confident in that date." The various delays that held up the SUV this far – including battery shortages, deciding to make the PHEV in the US the refreshed version and better-than-expected sales in Europe and Japan – have worked their way through the system, he said. "The issue was battery capacity, and the vehicle sold far better in Europe than anyone anticipated. It just takes time to build the battery. You got to buy raw materials and rethink the whole process. We're confident that it's going to be next spring." As for where the Outlander will go on sale in the US Fedorak said he did not know the initial markets for, but said it was likely the plug-in SUV would mimic the roll-out of the i-MiEV, which is now available in most states. Even with the Outlander PHEV's success overseas, the company does not expect it to be a big seller here. "It's not going to be big percentage of Outlander sales [in the US]," Fedorak said. "Our expectations are in the single-digit percentage of the total Outlander sales. It's just going to be a technology showcase for us, and we'll see what happens. If it takes off for us like it did in Europe, it'll be good news for the brand." Last year, Mistubishi sold 31,054 Outlander Sports and 13,068 Outlanders in the US. That means Mitsubishi expects to sell a maximum of 3,970 Outlander PHEVs (nine percent of 44,122 total Outlander sales) in the plug-in's first year on sale in the US. Fedorak said he doesn't think there are any specific regulatory issues that need to be solved to bring the Outlander PHEV here. Things like EPA certification and crash testing still need to be done, he said, but that's just part of the normal process now. Fedorak said he thinks there is no difference in the plug-in powertrain from the current version sold in Europe and Japan and the version that will come to the US. But the rest of the 2016 Outlander will be "much more than a facelift," he said (something we've heard before). "It's a total rethink of the chassis and the tuning of the vehicle. The NVH of the vehicle, too."Related Video:

Mitsubishi bringing Concept XR-PHEV II to Geneva

Head to the Geneva Motor Show this year and you'll see what could very well be the next production Mitsubishi. Though dubbed a "concept," the XR-PHEV II is clearly closer to being ready for production than the first XR-PHEV concept it showcased in Toyko back in 2013. Spindly as they may be, this one actually has side mirrors, the bodywork is a little toned down compared to the previous concept, there are actual openings in the grille, and you can actually see what looks like a functional interior through the windows. Overall the shape of this urban crossover looks promising, reminding us a bit of the Lamborghini Urus concept crossed with a Lancer Evo. But at least as important is what's under the hood. That's where Mitsubishi has placed its latest plug-in hybrid powertrain. The system includes an electric motor good for 160 horsepower, juiced by a 12-kWh battery. Strangely, the Japanese automaker hasn't specified what it's mated to, exactly, except to say that it's a MIVEC engine – those being the letters Mitsubishi uses for its variable valve timing system and utilized on gasoline and diesel engines ranging from 1.0 to 3.8 liters and from three cylinders to six. The previous concept, however, utilized a 1.1-liter turbo three with 134 hp on tap. It looks like we'll have to wait closer to its debut for further details and photos, but for now you can scope out all there is to know so far in the press release below. MITSUBISHI MOTORS AT 2015 GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTORSHOW Feb 25, 2015 TOKYO - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will unveil the global debut of the Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II[1] as well as the European premiere of the L200[2] pick-up truck at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show[3]. The Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II is a small SUV powered by a new plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) system and the all-new L200 is due to go on sale in Europe this summer. The Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II is a small SUV concept expected to be MMC's second PHEV following the Outlander PHEV launched in the UK in April, 2014. The new PHEV system presented in the Mitsubishi Concept XR-PHEV II is a lightweight, compact and high-efficiency front-engine/front-drive system ideal for an urban crossover. The system is estimated to achieve very low CO2 emissions of below 40 g/km, among the lowest of any PHEV, while also delivering gutsy and smooth performance with excellent response with its 163PS electric motor.

Mitsubishi, Nissan will build mini EV together

That minicar project that erstwhile competitors Nissan and Mitsubishi launched about four years ago is about to go a little more maxi. NMKV Co., the joint venture established in June 2011 by the two Japanese automakers to make minicars, is going to get more resources specifically to ease a move into the electric-vehicle sector. Specifically, Nissan, which makes the all-electric Leaf, is going to have a bigger role in the testing, design, and development of the partnership's mini EVs. A memorandum of understand between Nissan and Mitsubishi, maker of the i-MiEV, is in the works. So far, the joint-venture has sold about 500,000 gas-powered three-cylinder compact vehicles under the two automotive brands, so it must be doing something right. The first Nissan Dayz and the Mitsubishi eK Wagon models started production in 2013. Sales of the Nissan Dayz Roox and Mitsubishi eK Space, which went the higher-roof route, began early last year. Nissan and Mitsubishi started making noise about this last summer, when word came out that the little EV may be priced at less than $15,000 in Japan, quite a bit cheaper than either the Leaf or the i-MiEV over there. As with the current models, the future minicar variants will be produced at Mitsubishi's Mizushima factory in Japan. So far, the partnership would only say that details about NMKV's next-generation mini EV will be released "at a later time," so specifics like range and other performance measures will have to wait. Until then, you can take a look at NMKV's press release below. Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors and NMKV reach agreement on planning and development of next-generation minicars Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, and their joint venture NMKV Co., Ltd. today reached an agreement to continue their joint project regarding development of the next generation of current minicar models. The three companies will soon sign a memorandum of understanding. The companies aim to develop more competitive products by optimizing resource allocation and their respective roles and responsibilities. Nissan will be more deeply involved in development operations, such as design development and testing. In addition to its product planning and project development roles, NMKV will strengthen its management capabilities by adding a new department to enhance collaboration with engineering and manufacturing functions. Vehicle production is planned to continue at Mitsubishi's Mizushima Plant.