Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, on Friday (15/12/2023) announced that it had started producing the New Minicab EV at the PT Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia (MMKI) factory in Bekasi, West Java.
The Minicab EV or L100 EV will be sold in Indonesia in the fourth quarter of the 2023 fiscal year or early 2024, said President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, Takao Kato in a press release received in Jakarta.
“In 2017, MMKI started production of the Xpander which is now not only sold domestically in Indonesia, but also exported to support the development of the Indonesian automotive industry,” said Kato.
“With the start of our first production of electric vehicles overseas, we hope to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles in the ASEAN region and at the same time contribute to environmental initiatives in the country,” he continued.
The Minicab EV is a monobox design vehicle equipped with the proven EV system in the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle, the i-MiEV.
Additionally, measures such as placing the drive battery under the center of the floor ensure that EV components can be installed without sacrificing the vehicle’s bulky cargo space, while the low center of gravity provides excellent steering stability and an enjoyable ride.
President Director PT. Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Sales Indonesia (MMKSI) Atsushi Kurita said Indonesia is believed to be the first country outside Japan to produce Minicab EVs.
“Indonesia’s determination as the first country to carry out local production of the Minicab MiEV/L100 EV is a significant step for Mitsubishi Motors, and as a distributor in Indonesia, we are proud to be part of this environmental initiative,” said Kurita.
Previously the Minicab EV had been tested tried in Indonesia since 2022. In the trial, the electric car which resembles a van has been used by PT Pos Indonesia, PT Haleyora Power, Gojek and DHL Supply Chain Indonesia.
In the trial is the Minicab EV, which will be sold in Indonesia as The L100 EV is used as a commercial vehicle, especially as part of a logistics fleet on Jabodetabek urban roads.