Mitsubishi could share sub-light car with PSA

MITSUBISHI Motor Corporation could be set to extend its model collaboration with PSA Peugeot Citroen to its forthcoming new-generation ‘global small’ compact series, according to overseas reports.

Citing French newspaper Les Echos, the Reuters news agency reports that the compact car is “the central theme” of recent talks between the Japanese and French manufacturers, with production due to commence in Thailand as early as 2011.

The news comes after MMC president Osamu Masuko told Australian journalists, including GoAuto, that the forthcoming sub-light car would be smaller and more affordable than the current Colt and was being developed for global markets, including Australia.

It will be powered by both all-electric and conventional internal combustion engines, with the EV version joining the range about a year after launch.

Left: Peugeot iOn.

A fresh deal with PSA, which already rebadges Mitsubishi vehicles and will later this year introduce the i-MiEV-based Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero, could result in the French group switching from Toyota for its next-generation micro-cars.

The current Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107 are produced in the Czech Republic alongside the Toyota Aygo.

Toyota also supplies engines for the C1/107, although PSA announced in April that it was developing a new 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine family and would commence production – in France – of normally aspirated and turbocharged variants in 2012.

In March, PSA decided not to commit to a capital alliance with Mitsubishi, although the two companies said at the time that product-sharing partnerships would continue.

Apart from the shared EV, Mitsubishi already supplies the Outlander-based Peugeot 4007 and Citroen C-Crosser crossover twins, and the companies revealed late in April that Mitsubishi’s forthcoming ASX compact SUV would also spawn Peugeot and Citroen versions in early 2012.