Mitsubishi-PSA Peugeot Citroen Reportedly Collaborating on Plug-In Hybrids
By John O'Dell July 9, 2009Automakers Already Working Jointly on Battery-Electric Car
Mitsubishi Motors and PSA Peugeot-Citroen, already working together on an electric vehicle for the European markets, have reportedly expanded their collaboration to development and production of components for plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Japan's Nikkei business news says the two intend to jointly build powertrain components and are likely to supply finished hybrid vehicles to each other.
The partnership reportedly would benefit Mitsubishi's development of a plug-in gas-electric SUV and PSA Peugeot-Citroen's work on a diesel-electric car.
Mitsubishi, which declined to comment, also would supply high-capacity lithium-ion batteries to PSA through an affiliate, according to the Nikkei report.
Mitsubishi is already developing a plug-in hybrid car for commercial release by 2013 and intends to begin leasing its I-MIEV battery-electric city car in Japan later this month, with retail sales expected to follow sometime next year.
Collaborative agreements such as the Mitsubishi-PSA deals can only help speed the day when electric and electric-assisted vehicles are no longer curiosities but a significant part of the mainstream automotive marketplace.
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