Mitsubishi eK


The Mitsubishi eK is a kei car series from Mitsubishi Motors, based on the long-running Minica, and first introduced on October 11, 2001. According to the company, the "eK" name stands for "excellent keijidōsha" or "excellent minicar".
Immediately upon its release it was the recipient of the "Good Design Award" by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2001. While the initial sales target was 10,000 units per month, it sold 13,000 in its first four days, and 20,000 by the end of October 2001. It is Mitsubishi's highest volume model in the Japanese domestic market, and total sales to 2005 are approximately 480,000. In Japan, it was sold at a specific retail chain called Car Plaza. Since June 8, 2005, Nissan Motors has received 36,000 eK Wagons annually from Mitsubishi, to be sold within the domestic market as the Nissan Otti. The Otti was replaced by the Nissan Dayz and Nissan Dayz Highway Star on June 6, 2013, although the Otti was still sold alongside the Dayz until being discontinued on June 28, 2013.
In April 2016, MMC admitted that its employees had falsified fuel efficiency data for the eK Wagon, eK Space, Nissan Dayz and Nissan Dayz Roox. The resultant scandal culminated in Nissan acquiring a controlling interest in MMC the following month.

First generation (H81/H91/NA0; 2001–2006)

In its first generation, it was available either as an eK Wagon, eK Sport, eK Classy or eK Active. A facelifted eK Wagon was introduced on December 20, 2004. On December 20, 2005, the eK Classy was discontinued.

Second generation (H82/H92/NA1; 2006–2013)

The second generation eK Wagon and eK Sport were released on September 13, 2006, priced from ¥913,500 to ¥1,484,700. The eK Active was discontinued at the time of the second generation's launch. A facelifted eK Wagon and eK Sport were released on August 21, 2008.

Third generation (B11/B21/AA0; 2013–2019)

The third generation eK Wagon were released on June 6, 2013.

Fourth generation (B33/B34/B35/B36/B37/B38/B40; 2019–present)

The fourth generation eK Wagon and eK X were unveiled on March 14, 2019 and released on March 28, 2019.

eK Space

First generation (B11/B21/BA0; 2014–2020)

The first generation eK Space was announced on October 3, 2013, and released on February 13, 2014.

Second generation (B34/B35/B37/B38/B44/B45/B47/B48; 2020–present)

The second generation eK Space was unveiled on January 10, 2020, and went on sale on March 19, 2020.

Annual production and sales

Production figures include OEM units manufactured on behalf of Nissan, while sales figures only include Mitsubishi-badged models.
YearProductionSales
200197,39086,465
2002115,918122,857
2003119,652118,567
200470,82671,062
2005118,48073,277
2006122,29467,052
200777,87556,686
200863,94339,972