Mitsuba Corporation and KG Motors, Ltd. Announcement of Investment to Strengthen Technological Collaboration with KG Motors, Ltd.

Mitsuba Corporation (headquartered in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture; Sadami Hino, President; hereinafter "Mitsuba") has invested in KG Motors Corporation (headquartered in Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture; Kazunari Kusunoki, CEO; hereinafter "KG Motors") to strengthen technical collaboration in the drive system field for the "mibot" small mobility vehicle manufactured by KG Motors. (CEO: Kazunari Kusunoki, Higashi-Hiroshima City, Higashi-Hiroshima Prefecture, hereinafter "KG Motors") in order to further strengthen technological collaboration for the evolution of the drive system of "mibot," a compact mobility vehicle manufactured by KG Motors.

Background

Mitsuba and KG Motors have been collaborating since the early stages of the development of mibot, and Mitsuba has been designing, evaluating, and testing motors suitable for mibot in cooperation with KG Motors. Mitsuba has been working with KG Motors to design, evaluate, and test motors suitable for the mibot. These efforts are not limited to the prototype stage, but have already moved beyond implementation and verification on actual vehicles to delivery of vehicles to initial customers and demonstration operations (PoC) at corporate customers.

■Technical Initiatives

The mibot is compliant with the moped minicar standard, and must achieve hill climbing performance, acceleration performance, and maximum speed while being limited in power output. These are trade-offs, and the design and control of the motor to achieve balance within the limited power output determines the product's very existence. In addition, the constraints of small size, light weight, and low cost require optimization that is different from that of existing EVs.

With this investment, the two companies will work together to further refine performance while utilizing data obtained in the mass production and actual operation phases.

■Comments

Kazunari Kusunoki, Representative Director and CEO, KG Motors, Inc.

The mibot is a highly challenging product that requires both driving performance and cost within a limited power output. Mitsuba has been deeply involved in the motor field since the early stages of development, and we feel that it is very meaningful to continue to work with Mitsuba as a partner to refine the mass production and actual operation of the product together. We will continue to make continuous improvements based on actual use data to realize a comfortable travel experience for users.

Sadami Hino, President and Representative Director, Mitsuba Corporation

We expect that the fusion of KG Motors' expertise in the small mobility field and Mitsuba's motor technology will contribute to the realization of "safe and secure" mobility, solutions to mobility issues faced by local communities, and the realization of a decarbonized society. We will continue to pioneer a new future of mobility through repeated demonstrations.

Mitsuba Corporation logo

Mitsuba motor

Drive motor MA01

The MA01 is an inner rotor type drive motor for small motorcycles and small mobility vehicles, available in three types with different outputs depending on the application.

The motors are designed for natural air-cooling, so they do not require auxiliary equipment for cooling, and thus enable simplification of the vehicle configuration.

KG Motors Corporation logo

mibot

Compact mobility mibot

The "mibot" is a small one-seater electric minicar optimized for the functions necessary for daily transportation, in response to the issue of "cars are too big.

With an overall length of 2,485 mm, an overall width of 1,140 mm, an overall height of 1,470 mm, and a vehicle weight of approximately 470 kg, the compact and lightweight body efficiently supports "one-mile" daily transportation, such as shopping or going to and from the station.

While compliant with moped minicar standards, the vehicle has a cruising range of approximately 100 km (manufacturer's published figures) and is equipped with air-conditioning and heating, and is designed to provide both driving performance and comfort.