PSA is to sell an electric vehicle in Europe based on a Mitsubishi model. The news came as a Paris newspaper said the two automakers were considering an alliance.
Osamu Masuko, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), and Philippe Varin, CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroën, signed a cooperative agreement on Friday.
The deal will see development of Peugeot and Citroen versions of an EV for the European market based on MMC’s Japanese i-MiEV model.
Production commences in October 2010 for launch by the end of 2010.
MMC launched the new-generation EV i-MiEV in Japan in June, and will begin global sales of the right-hand drive vehicle this year. MMC plans to LHD versions in fiscal year 2010.
Mitsubishi already produces small SUVs for Peugeot and Citroen based on its Outlander line, using engines from both automakers. Apart from distinctive nose styling and trim details, the ‘badge engineered’ models are little different from the Japanese ‘original’.
PSA is set to launch a hybrid diesel 3008 in 2011 and versions of the Citroën DS5 including a plug in diesel hybrid in 2012.
