Mitsubishi doubles Outlander PHEV production
Global demand for plug-in hybrid Outlander outstrips supply following production delayMitsubishi Motors Corporation president Osamu Masuko said in Tokyo this week that his company will double production of its Outlander PHEV from next month to meet overwhelming worldwide demand for the plug-in hybrid SUV.
Speaking about battery problems that included a fire in an i-MiEV battery pack and melting issues in an Outlander PHEV, causing a five-month production halt, Masuko commented said that “even with our battery issues that are resolved now, we have had so many orders from Europe that we are unable to meet demand at the present time. That is why we are doubling production.”
Currently producing 2000 units a month, MMC will boost Outlander PHEV production to 4000 units next month in an attempt to meet demand that includes more than 11,000 orders from Scandinavia.
Australia can expect the Outlander PHEV in local showrooms in early 2014, potentiallypriced from as low as $40,000.
Referring to future plans and the success of its EV and PHEV projects, Masuko reiterated MMC’s vehicle development strategy was to electrify small cars while converting its full range of SUVs to the plug-in hybrid format, which in the five-seat Outlander PHEV offers a zero-emissions driving range of 55km, a total of 880km between refills and official fuel consumption of just 1.9L/100km.
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