PSA and Mitsu launch into the electric

[martien007]

AFP the 17 / 06 / 2008 16h50

PSA and Mitsubishi launch cooperation in electric vehicles

Gilles Michel, CEO of PSA Peugeot-Citroën, January 8, 2008 in Paris
© AFP / Jacques Demarthon Archives
French car groups PSA Peugeot Citroën and Japanese Mitsubishi Motors announced Tuesday a joint project in electric vehicles, another example of the growing interest of manufacturers for this technology in the face of soaring oil prices.

The initiative between PSA and Mitsubishi comes as large groups multiply projects, in Japan, the United States and Europe.

PSA and Mitsubishi, already partners in the manufacture of all-terrain vehicles, will work on "the development, manufacture and use" of electric motors for "small urban vehicles".

The two groups, which have just launched the construction of a joint factory in Russia last week, will first conduct a study on "extended technical cooperation" in electric vehicles. They believe that it would be "mutually beneficial" for them to "increase the viability of electric vehicle projects and accelerate their introduction to the market".

This study will last several months and its conclusions should be known before the end of the year, it was said at PSA.

PSA Peugeot Citroën has included this project as part of its 2010-2015 strategic plan, one of the objectives of which is to position itself as a "leader in ecological cars".

The French group says it wants to bring "its expertise" in electric motors. "We have experience in the industrialization" of these cars, said a spokesperson for the French group, recalling that PSA had marketed 10.000 electric vehicles between 1995 and 2005.

Mitsubishi Motors, which wants to become "one of the main manufacturer of electric vehicles", recalled for its part the priority given to the development of the new generation of its small electric car i MiEV, which will be launched in 2009 on the Japanese market, and possibly in Europe and the United States.

The Japanese group has created Lithium Energy Japan, a joint venture with GS Yuasa and Mitsubishi Corporation, dedicated to the manufacture of high-capacity lithium-ion batteries that will equip the i MiEV.

PSA, which had abandoned the electric car industry in 2005, has indicated in recent months that it was "relaunching its activity" and "reactivating research" in this area.

The French manufacturer had thrown in the towel at the time, noting that the market was not there and also believed that there was no new generation battery needed.

In March, PSA was one of the two shortlisted for the tender to supply 500 electric vehicles to La Poste. PSA is associated with the Monegasque manufacturer Venturi which will supply the motorization.

For its part, the French group Renault must launch electric vehicles in 2011 as part of projects in Israel and Denmark, then develop a global offer in 2012.

Its Japanese ally Nissan will also offer its models in 2012 and from 2010 in the United States and Japan. Nissan has also created a joint venture with NEC, AESC, to manufacture lithium-ion batteries.

The American General Motors has just reaffirmed its objective to market its electric Chevrolet Volt by the end of 2010.

Other manufacturers, such as the French Bolloré (with the Italian Pininfarina) and Dassault SVE, or the Norwegian Think also have projects in progress.

[Christophe]

What about Bolloré's batteries? We put them in the c **?

[martien007]

Must tell PSA, they may not know? or see Sarko will send an SMS to his friend.

[Christophe]

Must tell PSA, they may not know?

No comment ...

[Remundo]

Hi Martien and Christophe

PSA Peugeot Citroën has included this project as part of its 2010-2015 strategic plan, one of the objectives of which is to position itself as a "leader in ecological cars".

PSA leader in hybrid or electric ?? Add at least 10 years to the dates ...

You should think about hybridizing the Hdi first, right?