Outlander PHEV coming in 2015 due to battery shortages

[johnelk]

There's an interesting article on AutoNews.com that says the Outlander plug-in hybrid was delayed 2 years because of bottlenecks in battery production. They've sold over 8100 of them in Japan.

Mitsubishi can only get 4000 battery packs a month, and is expecting an increase to 5000 packs per month in April.

I don't really get why they can't still release it in the US and just have less available? What's the disadvantage to doing that? Instead, they wait 2 years and have other competition and likely outdated technology in the vehicle when it does get here?!

 

[ActionableMango]

They can't even make their commitments in current markets so it would be irresponsible for them to expand into more markets.

The problem is that they have a single source for battery production. You shouldn't have a single source for such a critical component unless there is an overwhelming reason to do so.

Can you imagine if the battery factory has a devastating fire or earthquake? No more Outlander PHEVs, period.

 

[jaapv]

They had to deliver to the Dutch market first because there was a tax advantage deadline on December 31st. Many sales were made on contingency of timely delivery - I got mine on December 30th. It would have cost me 15.000 Euro had the car been delivered on Januari 1st. So the dealer would have had a legal problem...