Should Mitsubishi Motors PH bring the L100 kei van here?
Kei cars, despite their small size, are a huge thing in Japan thanks to their narrow streets and general lack of space. It’s the same case here in Southeast Asia though they are not exactly available here.
That won’t be the case for long as Mitsubishi Motors has begun production of the Minicab EV, also known as the L100 EV, small commercial van in the PT Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia (MMKI) manufacturing plant, alongside the Montero Sport.
The Minicab EV makes use of technology from the i-MiEV, known as one of the world’s first mass-produced fully-electric vehicles. Cargo loading space is ensured to be unobstructed by any of the vehicles components by placing the drive battery under the center of the floor. It also allows for better stability and ride on the road.
A small EV van would definitely make sense in the Philippines, especially with our tight city streets littered with improperly parked vehicles and what have you. It won’t be that difficult to source the Minicab EV from Indonesia as Mitsubishi Motors Philippines (MMPC) already sources the Xpander and Xpander Cross from there. Provided a left-hand drive version is made, it will surely make sense.
It is also not known at the moment if MMPC will switch sourcing the Montero Sport from Thailand to Indonesia. The first market to switch to Indonesia is Australia.
