TOKYO — Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will increase production of its planned electric vehicle after orders for its first 2,000 cars were quickly filled, a spokesman said today.

Japan's No. 4 automaker aims to roll out the "i MiEV" zero-emissions car for leasing in Japan by July. The first year's planned production of 2,000 units has already sold out with Japanese corporate leasers, including utility Tokyo Electric Power Co. and convenience store chain Lawson, said company spokesman Kai Inada.

Mitsubishi Motors is raising its output of the model for 2010 from 4,000 to 5,000 units, he said.

Mitsubishi Motors plans to sell the i MiEV — which can be recharged from a regular home socket — in Europe through Peugeot Citroen PSA in 2010, and sales to individual consumers in Japan are planned for 2011.

The potential growth of "green" cars offers a glimmer of hope for the world's struggling automakers.