At the press briefing held in Tokyo on June 22, 2009.

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) are participating in a power plant project in Australia that aims to demonstrate superior environmental performance. The project, which is being headed up by Australia's ZeroGen, is seeking to combine a low-emission, high-efficiency Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant, with a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) facility. The facility would be the world's first commercial-scale complex to effectively integrate these two technologies. ZeroGen recently commissioned a feasibility study on the project from MC and MHI. The two partners, which are expected to receive a comprehensive contract for the construction of the project, are looking to bring the facilities on-line by 2015.
As a founding member of Australia's Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute (GCCSI), MC provides advice on how coal can be effectively utilized in more environmentally responsible ways and it also makes practical suggestions to the Australian government regarding the planning and development of CCS initiatives. Through participation in this project, MC aims to accumulate know-how regarding the operation of next-generation coal-fired power plants while helping MHI to bolster its record in the area of IGCC plant supply. Meanwhile, MC will also aims at the contribution across the value chain by involvement of the project in various ways, from coal and pipeline supply to emissions trading.

From the Left: GS Yuasa President Makoto Yoda, MMC President Osamu Masuko and MC SEVP Hisanori Yoshimura

The i-MiEV, the new-generation electric vehicle (EV) from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), went on sale in Japan in July, 2009. MMC officially rolled out the i-MiEV at its showroom on June 5, as nations around the world commemorated World Environment Day. Members of the press flocked to the event, reflecting the current high level of interest in EVs.
Some 1,400 vehicles are to be sold during the current fiscal year, primarily to corporations and local governments, based on maintenance leases*. The i-MiEV is priced at ¥4,599,000 (including consumption tax), but the cost drops to around ¥3,200,000 when government subsidies are applied. Sales to the public are to begin in April 2010 and MMC plans to sell approximately 5,000 vehicles during the next fiscal year.
On June 5, MMC also announced its "Environmental Vision 2020", in which the company declared its intention to have EVs (including plug-in hybrid vehicles and other electric-powered vehicles) constitute at least 20% of its overall production volume by 2020.
Alongside MMC President Osamu Masuko at the rollout was President Makoto Yoda of GS Yuasa, MMC's partner in Lithium Energy Japan (a company developing and manufacturing lithium-ion batteries), and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) SEVP Hisanori Yoshimura. Responding to questions from journalists, SEVP Yoshimura described efforts to secure access to lithium resources.

*A lease that includes some of the costs associated with taxes, insurance and maintenance.

An overall view of the bioethanol production facility

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC), together with Kirin Holdings, is participating in a bioethanol production project being developed by Hokkaido Bioethanol Co., Ltd. Construction of a production facility, which began in October 2007, was completed earlier this year and a dedication ceremony was held on May 24, 2009. Hokkaido Bioethanol President Toshiaki Tobita expressed his appreciation to MC for the role it played in project management and in introducing advanced technologies.
Conducted under the auspices of Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, this project is a truly groundbreaking initiative, whereby the entire process of bioethanol production-from raw materials procurement to product supply-has been achieved using only domestic technologies and companies. The project, which expects to achieve an annual production capacity of 15,000 kiloliters, is seeking to become a model for future bioethanol projects in Japan.

Front row, from the left: MMSCN Chairman Masahide Konishi and Mitsubishi Corporation (Shanghai) President Chikara Yamaguchi attending a ceremony last December in which the Shanghai Municipal Government rolled out a new business incentive program.
Sales of "Lancer Evolution X" in China commenced last September.

Mitsubishi Motor Sales (China) Co. Ltd. (MMSCN) commenced operations in Shanghai on April 1. Established in February 2009 with equal investment from Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), the new company is now spearheading the import and sale of MMC cars in China.
In 2005, import and sales operations of MMC cars in China were taken up by Mitsubishi Corporation (Shanghai) Limited. Sales figures steadily improved with year-on-year increases of 115% in 2006 (with sales of 4,124 vehicles), 179% in 2007 (with sales of 11,537 vehicles) and 13% in 2008 (with sales of 12,996 vehicles). MMSCN is now seeking to build up its workforce while also striving to bolster marketing, strengthen ties with dealers, expedite parts delivery and enhance after-sales service. In this way, MMSCN will work to expand its market share in China, where competition is becoming increasingly fierce.
MMSCN is marketing six imported models in China. In addition to the Grandis and the Outlander, new models of the Pajero, the Lancer Evolution X and the Lancer were added last year, with the Eclipse being introduced this January. MMSCN will seek to expand sales by continuing to introduce models that reflect the unique appeal of MMC cars.

2009 is expected to be the year the age of the electric car begins to take hold and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's "i MiEV" is one of the cars that will drive this new age forward.
As we move closer to actually realizing a future where people, cars and the environment co-exist in harmony, MC is not only grappling with the challenges that provide the key to the mainstream popularization of electric cars, such as the establishment of the infrastructure for vehicle recharging and the recycling of rechargeable batteries, it is also a participating partner in Lithium Energy Japan, which is making steady progress towards mass production of large-capacity rechargeable batteries, which are the heart of the electric car.

MC, together with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Obayashi Corporation, Kajima Corporation and Turkey's Yapi Merkezi was awarded the contract by the United Emirates' Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai to build a railway system. Completion of the first section is projected for September 2009. The total length of the rail line will be 75 km (including 12 km underground). The contract for construction of this project, which will be the world's longest fully-automated (driverless) rail system in the world, is worth approximately ¥400 billion. The pace of construction will be rapid. Dubai, a city without a developed public transport infrastructure, is suffering from chronic traffic congestion and there are tremendous expectations behind this Dubai Metro Project as it promises to give greater mobility to the people of Dubai. MC aims to utilize its experience and results obtained from this project-the first urban railway in the Gulf States-to extend its railway system business in the Middle East.