Mitsubishi Announces EV And Hybrid Onslaught

Days after revealing the concept version of its upcoming Global Small Car, Mitsubishi has announced plans for an electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid onslaught.

Mitsubishi says it will launch eight electric and hybrid models by 2015.

As part of its 'Jump 2013' strategy, Mitsubishi will expand availability of the current i MiEV, currently available only to governments and corporations, to private consumers this year.

The company's stylish Px MiEV plug-in hybrid is also expected to make the leap from concept to production, along with a medium or large electric sedan.

Mitsubishi's new Global Small Car Concept may also see an electric variant among its choice of powertrains.

The move comes as part of a plan to increase annual global sales by 37 percent to 1.37 million vehicles by 2013 or 2014, at the same time increasing overseas production from 44 percent to 54 percent.

The Japanese carmaker expects most of its volume growth to come from China, Southeast Asia, Russia and Brazil, where its new global small car is expected to increase sales in emerging markets by 280,000 units in the next three years.