Mitsubishi i City Car gathers pace

Half of the second shipment of the Mitsubishi i City Car headed for the UK has been sold before it has even reached dealers.

The new urban vehicle was launched in July of this year, with the original shipment of 300 vehicles selling out within two and a half weeks.

And now 750 of the next 1,500 set for the UK's shore have been snapped up by keen collectors.

However, more will be dispatched should sales remain strong, according to the Japanese manufacturer.

Some 83 per cent of those who bought the car were first-time Mitsubishi buyers, with the cars compact size cited as the key feature attracting buyers.

The cars environmental credentials, styling and price were also important to buyers.

Commenting on the cars success Lance Bradley, Mitsubishi's sales and marketing director, said: "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."

The car is the first four door vehicle for over forty years to employ a rear midship setup - with the engine behind the rear passengers - and could prove to be the basis for an electric car from the manufacturer in the next five years.