The FINANCIAL -- Mitsubishi Motors North America, has commenced delivery of the company’s all-new 100% electric-powered 2012 Mitsubishi i featuring Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle technology to the first retail customers in the continental United States, according to Mitsubishi Motors.

John and Jean Malanaphy of Santa Monica, California; Paul Wasson of Tigard, Oregon; and Roger Saint John of Lake Tapps, Washington are the fortunate early adopters in each of their respective states to benefit from Mitsubishi Motors’ highly advanced, economical and efficient all-electric production vehicle: Not only is the 2012 Mitsubishi i the most affordably-priced mass-market EV available in the United States but it was recently named the 1 vehicle on the EPA’s list of “Fuel Economy Leaders: 2012 Model Year” in the governmental agency’s annual Fuel Economy Guide.

The very first Hawaii retail delivery of the 2012 Mitsubishi i occurred last month in a formal ceremony at the Hawaii State Capitol Building in Honolulu that included representatives from Mitsubishi Motors and Cutter Mitsubishi of Aiea, Hawaii; the Honorable Neil Abercrombie, Governor of Hawaii; and Bryson and Bridget Nishimura of Waipahu, Hawaii, who were presented with the keys to their new state-of-the-art Mitsubishi electric vehicle.

Currently available in the aforementioned Western states and Hawaii, the 2012 Mitsubishi i will be available across much of the United Sates by this summer. With a starting net value of $21,625 for the well-equipped entry-level ES model, the 2012 Mitsubishi i 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.

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