Mitsubishi’s new i City Car has been a run-away success since it was launched in the UK in July 2007.

The first batch of 300 units sold out within two and a half weeks of going on sale, and over 50% of the second batch have been sold before the vehicles even hit UK soil. Over 1,500 units are already planned for sale in 2008, with more available if sales continue to be strong.

Mitsubishi has conducted extensive research of i’s customers, discovering that 83% of buyers were not previously Mitsubishi owners. They also surveyed the key factors influencing the purchase decision. The vehicle’s compact size was the most important factor, with price and high specification coming second. The car’s environmental credentials and styling were also rated in the top 5 reasons for the vehicle’s sales success.

Town and city dwellers accounted for 76% of buyers, predominantly in the South East of England where the threat of additional tax and Congestion Charges loom on the horizon.

Lance Bradley, Mitsubishi’s Sales and Marketing Director, remarked that “we have proven that Mitsubishi can successfully operate in multiple industry segments. The i has successfully showcased Mitsubishi’s environmental credentials in advance of a range of clean diesel vehicles and even the amazing zero-emission electric i in the next two years.”