Mitsubishi ready to expand PHEV lineup with ASX, Pajero
Sun, Oct 12 2014
Mitsubishi will start selling plug-in hybrid versions of its ASX compact crossover, the company's best-selling model in Europe, in 2017, Automotive News Europe says, citing comments from Osamu Masuko. A year after that, the company will debut the Pajero plug-in hybrid SUV. No details were disclosed about exactly what kind of PHEV powertains will be used in the vehicles, which will be part of the next-generation incarnations of both models. The ASX appears to be a good trial vehicle, given that more than 22,000 of them were sold in Europe through August, Automotive News reports, citing JATO Dynamics. Mitsubishi representatives didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from AutoblogGreen.
The company appears to be looking to build on the success of the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid. Mitsubishi sold almost 9,000 Outlander PHEVs in Europe during the first six months of the year. That model pairs a 2.0-liter gas engine with an electric motor and has an all-electric range of about 32 miles.
By Danny King
See also: Mitsubishi recalling 166k cars, crossovers over stall risk, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Concept-S shows what a facelift can do [w/video], Mitsubishi exec says Evo 'will be replaced in spirit' by high-po hybrid SUV.