Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced that it would provide 10 i MiEV¹ electric vehicles for official use at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit. The electric vehicles will be used as transport for visiting world leaders and members of the media. Additionally, the vehicles will comprise one part of an on-site display2 and test drive. MMC hopes that through its small contribution, attendees of the G8 Summit will find a new appreciation for the superior practicality and environmental viability of electric vehicles.

i MiEV MMC will bring the i MiEV electric vehicle to market next year (2009) in Japan, as part of its plan to help reduce global warming and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The i MiEV is based on the ” i ” minicar, and utilizes a large-capacity lithium-ion battery and a compact, high-output electric motor in place of the traditional powertrain. At present, MMC is conducting fleet tests in cooperation with several domestic electric power companies, in order to make electric vehicles a common sight on Japan’s roads as soon as possible. Plans are also under way to begin fleet testing of the i MiEV at more than one U.S. power company as early as this fall. Data about the effects of local climate and driving preferences, gathered in the aforementioned tests, will allow MMC to make meaningful progress toward bringing the i MiEV to market. Source: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation If you are looking for Japanese used vehicles exporters, please visit : http://www.japanautopages.com/business_type/exporter.php  Technorati tags: Mitsubishi, Japanese Vehicles

In a move aimed at making cars affordable, Kenya is expected to amend a budget proposal to impose a 20 per cent excise duty on imported used motor vehicle spare parts.

To discourage the importation of second hand motor cars in Kenya and to energize the local car and spare parts assembly firms, Finance minister Amos Kimunya imposed a 20 per cent excise duty on all imported second hand spare in the June budget.

The Government of Kenya aiming to collect huge amount of tax from the Imported spare parts as more Kenyans use second hand motor vehicles.

According to the Kenya Auto Bazaar Association (KABA)-the umbrella organization of second hand car dealers- a total of 42,000 imported second hand cars were registered in Kenya in 2006 compared to 10,000 new units.