The two companies will develop and produce motors and other components that can be used in an electric engine for small urban vehicles.

The alliance marks a strengthening of ties between the French and Japanese companies, following their agreement to jointly produce vehicles in Russia from a new plant in 2011. No details on production dates or launch dates for electric vehicles have been disclosed. Mitsubishi did state that it had prioritised the development of the i MiEV electric vehicle, which it plans to launch it in the Japanese domestic market in 2009. The carmaker is considering a possible future introduction to Europe and the U.S.