Mitsubishi took the occasion of the New York auto show to announce that U.S. pricing for its i-MiEV electric pod will start at $27,990; the $7500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles drops the price to $20,490. (Destination charges for the vehicle are still up in the air; it isn�t included in these numbers.) In states and municipalities that offer further tax breaks, buyers could pay even less. For another two grand, Mitsubishi will toss in an eight-speaker sound system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a two-tone interior, 15-inch wheels, and fog lamps. Really spendy EV customers can throw another $2,790 into Mitsubishi�s kitty and get a navigation system, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and a quick-charge port for 30-minute, 80-percent fill-ups.
Will we get the gas-powered version of the bubble-shaped four-door (called simply the i) sold in other markets? It would certainly have to cost even less, but Mitsu says it wouldn�t be able to sell the car here profitably if the electric version is already so cheap, especially with the current state of the yen/dollar relationship. As such, Mitsubishi told us that it isn�t prepared to make any sort of announcement regarding the sale of the regular i here.
Indeed, Mitsubishi already had to price the i-MiEV below the Leaf and Volt�and even many a Prius�to have any chance of grabbing some alt-vehicle spotlight, critical for the company while it pivots from a mainstream automaker to a purveyor of small cars and alternative-fuel vehicles. We�ll see if the market has any patience left for the perennially struggling carmaker by the time the i-MiEV is in showrooms for demo rides in November. Deliveries start early next year.
by blog.caranddriver.com
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