Suzuki is seeking help with EV production from an unlikely source - the competition. The Japanese auto maker is teaming up with another car company from that country - Mitsubishi. As part of this combined effort, Mitsubishi will share technology used in their "i" electric car for Suzuki to help build their own affordable line-up of long-range, rechargeable EV's.  

Approximately 4,000 electric vehicles will be made by the end of March, 2012. But this is not a one-way deal. Suzuki will supply Mitsubishi Motors with a version of their foreign subcompact, similar to the Suzuki Swift available at Ferguson Superstore in Broken Arrow, OK.

According to sources: "Mitsubishi Motors has been actively expanding its OEM arrangements in the domestic market to cut costs and expand its product offerings."¹  

In the end, both auto makers hope to profit off of a variety of shared hybrid and electric drivetrains, coming to dealership lots over the course of the next few years.

 

¹http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/22/us-mitsubishimotors-suzuki-idUSTRE7AL08N20111122