Mitsubishi Reportedly Begins Production of I-MIEV Electric Car As July Lauch Date Nears

Mitsubishi Reportedly Begins Production of I-MIEV Electric Car As July Lauch Date Nears

Mitsubishi has begun manufacturing the i-MIEV battery-electric city car it plan to begin leasing to fleet customers in Japan next month, according to a report in Japan's Kyodo News.

The automaker hasn't said anything officially, but  the news report cites unidentified Mitsubishi executives as the source of its information.

The report also says that sales of the Mitsubishi EV to consumers in Japan will begin early next year and that the price of the small four-seat EV will be about 4 million yen, the equivalent today of $41,750, with Japanese government subsidies reducing it to about 3 million yen, or $31,300.

Mitsubishi reportedly will begin selling the i-MIEV in global markets in mid-2010.

There's been no official word on U.S. sales, but the company has been testing the car here and the market is too big to ignore.

With Nissan planning to launch an electric car of its own in the U.S. next year, Mitsubishi needs to get its foot in the door as early as possible.

John O'Dell:  is an AutoObserver Senior Editor. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.