Mitsubishi 2008 Annual Report Download - page 5

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annual report 2008 mitsubishi motors corporation
Mitsubishi Motors believes that it has a special responsibility to reduce the impact of automobiles on the
Earth’s environment. The company is stepping up efforts to refine its environmental technologies. One prom-
ising technology being developed to help prevent global warming and contribute to energy diversity is the zero-
emissions i MiEV electric vehicle. Based on the i minicar platform, the i MiEV features a small, lightweight motor
powered by high-performance lithium-ion batteries, allowing it to run clean without releasing any CO2 emissions.
Slated for launch in 2009, the i MiEV is in the final stages of development.
Making Environmental Measures a Top Priority
Developing advanced next-generation technologies in the environmental field is one of the key priorities of
the new Step Up 2010 mid-term business plan. Furthermore, in June 2008, the company unveiled a new
tagline, Drive@earth. The tagline expresses our concern for the environment while underscoring our commit-
ment to providing the “utmost driving pleasure” and “reassuring safety” to customers in every part of the
world. The MMC group strives to fulfill its environmental responsibilities as one of its top business priorities.
Pinnacle Technologies
i MiEV Paving the Way for a Low-CO2 Society
Global warming continues unabated and the energy problem is becoming more acute. In this context, electric
vehicles are drawing considerable attention. Electric vehicles emit no drive-time CO2 and sharply reduce
greenhouse gas emissions even when taking into account the CO2 emissions generated at the power plants
that provide the charge for the vehicles. Because electricity can be generated from various sources, electric
vehicles could help reduce society’s dependence on fossil fuels. By generating the power used to charge
electric vehicles from wind, solar or other forms of renewable energy, total CO2 emissions from generation to
operation could be reduced to zero. By using clean electric energy as an alternative to fossil fuels, which are
finite and are a primary cause of global warming, MMC believes that the conve-
nience of automobiles can be maintained while simultaneously realizing a
sustainable, low-carbon society.
i MiEV: Commercialization
MMC has been conducting joint research with electric power companies
since November 2006, and the
i MiEV is now undergoing detailed final
quality assurance tests at the practical level through fleet tests under
actual driving conditions. In December 2007, MMC, GS Yuasa
Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation established Lithium
Energy Japan as a joint venture to mass produce lithium-ion
batteries. The company is accelerating the final stages of
development in preparation for bringing the
i MiEV to
market in 2009.
Bolstering Our Strengths: Environmental Technology
wRoadmap to Launch
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Clean diesel
Automated manual
transmission (TC-SST)
Alternative fuel compatibility
Improved mileage in gasoline engines
Improved drivetrain efficiency
Reduced weight/improved aerodynamics
PINNACLE TECHNOLOGIES
Industry-leading, unique
technologies
uLaunch of the i MiEV electric vehicle
NEXT-GENERATION CORE
TECHNOLOGIES
Defining “core” technologies
uClean diesel (from FY2009)
u Expansion of TC-SST equipped vehicles
(from FY2008)
BASE TECHNOLOGIES
Industry-leading technologies
uNew MIVEC and FFV
uCVT, high-efficiency transmissions
Special Feature I: Environmental Technology
Tokyo Electric Power Company, Kyushu Electric Power Co.,
Inc. and The Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc.
wEarly testing
w Established battery company
Lithium Energy Japan (December 2007)
Shareholders: GS Yuasa Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Business description: Development, manufacturing and sales of large lithium-ion batteries
Start of mass production: Spring 2009
w Established an office to manage MiEV
operations within MMC
Renamed the MiEV Business Management Office and put
under the direct charge of the Executive Vice President
as of August 1, 2008
wPlans for overseas fleet testing
North America: Considering joint fleet testing with electric power company
Europe and other areas: under consideration
wMarket launch
Tokyo Electric Power Company, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc., The Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc.,
The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc., Okinawa Electric Power Co., Inc.
and Hokuriku Electric Power Company
wFleet testing under actual driving conditions
u Joint research with
electric power
companies