So the OutLander Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle are Stirring the Market in Japan, and Australia. When will it come to the U.S

This is something I have been waiting for, an SUV Hybrid that has a range of 30 Miles in EV Plug in mode, Quick charge 30 mins for 24 miles, and is around 200HP.

This is just too perfect.


Why don't Toyota have this on their High-Lander or RX450h. I would Swap

 

North America is the last major market in the line to get this model. I think its early 2014 if they can make up for the stalled production while other markets should get it like this summer.

They did have problem with the batteries that were overheating in some instances and due to investigation they shut down the plant for almost a month I think. Cause of overheating batteries was discovered in suppliers production line where workers were dropping the cells on the ground, damaging them in the process and putting them damaged like that into assembly. Mitsu will try to double the production by adjusting plant in Nagoya I think. If they do so around 4,000 units per month are expected instead of 2,000 like they are doing right now. If they don't double the production there could be a chance that deliveries to US and Canada will be delayed by month or two.

 

2000 of plugins? to 4000 plugins? Are they sending them to mars? :-)

 

No, Australia demanded 10,000 initially at the first month of production, where Mitsubishi could only produced 4000 to them. In Japan, these are sold as fast as they are released. The rest of the world is really into PHEV. It is so flexible that you can use whatever for cheap, or you can have some solar panel in the back yard and drive your PHEV on EV for free if u drive about 50-60 Miles from home to work round trip.

The reason why these are selling well is the range. It range is 35 miles a charge, and unlike the plugin hybrid Prius, this one have quick charge similar to Tesla, but you charge using it own special equipment, no need for supercharging stations.

There are rumor about the next Lancer Evolution to use the same tech...but just better. Still, when it comes here, I will seriously test drive it, possibly trade in my RX

 

US alone could swallow 4000 units a month if Mitsu's dealership network wasn't so f'ed up, especially that rumored msrp after federal tax could be $35,000 for the base trim. I doubt that would be the final price unless they cut the corners compared to EU and J spec models but who knows, if Mitsu gets aggressive then I would not be surprised.

People say Honda is the company that is lost but look at Mitsu, they have access to more money than Honda ever will and yet they just don't care too much to succeed. If a company can put North American market on a backburner that tells you they are stupid and have more money than they deserve.

Only thing that will keep Mitsu relevant is their EV/PHEV program which is quite outstanding and on par with Honda's. Upcoming replacement for Lancer Evo should be a showcase of how far they have come with the program. Outlander PHEV features one motor per axel while Evo replacement will power each wheel by a single motor. Of course they can ditch all that in a single they, its Mitsu after all.

 

I am seriously considering this PHEV. I am waiting to test drive this. If it is not too bad vs the RX I will trade my RX in.

After all my wife Cummute less than 20 miles a day locally. This can be EV alone. With up to 40+ mpg this SUV look promising.

I am also seriously looking into the next lancer Evo as well together with lexus RC H. I hear that they have RC 300h which is a hybrid as well. But without plug in....I hope it is a plug in