Mitsubishi to make available electric car technology to other OEMs

Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors Corp. announced plans to provide another automaker with electric cars on an original equipment-manufacturing basis to help lower costs of producing eco-friendly vehicles. A possible partner for the i MiEV electric car, which will be launched this summer, is France’s largest automaker PSA Peugeot Citroën Group, with which the Japanese firm has cooperated in developing batteries and motors for electric vehicles. The deal could start as early as 2011, sources said, adding that Mitsubishi wants to take advantage of OEM deals to boost production and lower per-unit costs and is also considering selling lithium-ion batteries and motors for electric vehicles. (January 8, 2009)