Representatives from Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA), along with the Honorable Neil Abercrombie, Governor of Hawaii, and personnel from Cutter Mitsubishi of Aiea, Hawaii, made the very first customer retail delivery of the 100% electric-powered 2012 Mitsubishi i featuring Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle (MiEV) technology in a formal ceremony today at the historic Hawaii State Capitol Building in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Bryson and Bridget Nishimura of Waipahu, Hawaii.
"We purchased the 2012 Mitsubishi i primarily to save on gas – we currently spend about $70.00 a week on fuel. But it should cost us only around $3.00 for a full charge of electricity – that's going to be a great savings for us! Long-term, the Mitsubishi i should save us at least $3,000 a year," said Mr. Nishimura, retired from a career with Hawaiian Telephone.
"I think the car is so cute," Mrs. Nishimura added enthusiastically. "Plus, I like that it's roomy and it's a hatchback. It's going to be so good for the earth – we're both way on board with it. And Cutter Mitsubishi has been great to work with, too."
The 2012 Mitsubishi i recently earned the #1 ranking on the EPA's list of the "Fuel Economy Leaders: 2012 Model Year" in the governmental agency's annual Fuel Economy Guide, thanks to its high EPA-rating of 126 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) in city driving/99 MPGe highway (112 MPGe combined).
"With the cost of gas still on the rise, these vehicles offer our consumers an option that will be cost-effective in the long run, and at the same time allows our state to reach its energy independence goals," Governor Neil Abercrombie stated. "In Hawaii, our climate and energy priorities make us best suited for these types of vehicles."
The City and County of Honolulu and Hawaii Electric are among the first fleet customers to take advantage of the reduced operating costs, high efficiency and environmental benefits provided by adding Mitsubishi's all-new electrical vehicle to their respective fleets in America's island paradise. Vehicle deliveries to the Hawaiian municipality and utility will occur later in the month of December.
In addition to Hawaii, the Mitsubishi i is currently rolling out in California, Washington, and Oregon where it is available for test drives at certified Mitsubishi i dealers, and the majority of the U.S. will get the vehicle by summer of 2012. With a starting net value of $21,625* for the well-equipped entry-level ES model (the premium-grade SE version begins at $23,625*), the 2012 Mitsubishi i is the most affordably-priced mass-market electric vehicle available in the United States and is the first of several new advanced, alternative-fuel production vehicles that the Japanese auto manufacturer plans on bringing to the North American market in the next few years.