The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will enact new fuel economy regulations for 2011 vehicles which will ultimately result in a win-win-win situation for the environment, economy, and drivers. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) introduced an 18 MPG regulation for passenger vehicles only when enacted by congress in 1975. While slight amendments have been made to CAFE standards over the years, the newest reform will reflect the most drastic change in their 30-year history with a 35% increase in fuel economy for cars and trucks combined. This amendment will enforce Bloomington IL new car dealers to obtain 37.8 mpg for passenger vehicles and 28.8 mpg for trucks by the year 2016. Continue Reading

During times of economic distress, we all must cut back. Even large, recognizable companies, whose products and brand are instantly known, are cutting costs and streamlining their workflow. For Mitsubishi, the industry-wide cutbacks resulted in the closing of tuner Ralliart, which was closely associated with the automaker. Continue Reading

Mitsubishi has announced it will increase production of i-MiEVs, as orders have far exceeded expectations. The Nikkei reports that Mitsubishi’s battery suppliers have been told that they plan to make 9,000 i-MiEVs this year. Lithium Energy Japan, a partnership between GS Yuasa, Mitsubishi Motors and Mitsubishi Corp., will make enough packs for 7,000 cars while GS Yuasa will make an additional 2,000 packs. The car, which has been available to corporate customers in Japan since last year, goes on sale to the general public there in April.

This i minicar from Mitsubishi replaces four-speed automatic transmission with a two-position gear selector that lets you choose Drive or Eco mode. And where the tachometer normally goes on the instrument panel, this i sports a meter that indicates the charge status of the battery and the discharge rate. But the most critical innovation is the replacement of conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries in favor of the latest, state-of-the-art lithium-ion kind. Smaller, lighter and more powerful, these batteries are being co-developed by Mitsubishi Motors, GS Yuasa Ltd. and Mitsubishi Trading Co. See your Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer for more. Continue Reading

There’s big news concerning the future of the Mitsubishi Evolution. Recently, the automaker confirmed that the 2013 Evolution is going green with a hybrid powertrain. Boasting plug-in capabilities and a short-distance EV mode that operates without the gasoline-fueled engine, this new Evolution promises to be the best one yet. Continue Reading

Mitsubishi is hopeful that sometime in the very near future their electric cars will be a staple on the roads of America. The automaker hopes to have electric vehicles available for purchase to the general public by winter or spring of next year. While these vehicles are not currently available at your local Bloomington car dealership, Mitsubishi believes the interest is there and that the vehicles will be widely popular when they become available in the future. Continue Reading