Peugeot, Mitsubishi team up on electric vehicle project

French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen and Japan's Mitsubishi Motors said Wednesday they had signed an agreement to develop light commercial electric vehicles.

The carmakers said they will begin technical development of electric versions of the Peugeot Partner combi-van and the Citroen Berlingo, with the aim of beginning production by the end of 2012.

Earlier this year the companies scrapped an ambitious capital tie-up that would have created the world's sixth-largest auto alliance, amid reports of financial discord.

But they agreed to cooperate to share resources and cut costs in a bid to close down on rivals.

Mitsubishi announced a partnership with PSA Peugeot Citroen in April that will see the launch of a compact SUV in Europe in early 2012, based on the existing Mitsubishi RVR in Japan and its European counterpart, the ASX.

The global auto industry is increasingly joining forces to save billions of dollars through technology sharing and accelerate production of low-pollution electric cars.

(c) 2010 AFP