Firkins Mitsubishi, serving the greater Bradenton, Florida area, has been talking up the Mitsubishi i for some time now. The first ever electric vehicle from our favorite Japanese automaker is set to arrive at select dealership lots later this month, and now the North American variant has entered production.

The U.S.-bound i is currently being manufactured alongside the Japanese variant at the company's Mizushima plant. But, there are a few differences between the two. First, the U.S. variant is bigger than its Japanese counterpart. Overall, it measures in at a full 11 inches longer and 4.3 inches wider than the original i, which launched in Japan in 2009. Other changes include the addition of required safety features, such as advanced airbag and tire pressure monitoring systems. However, despite making some big changes for the Mitsubishi i in the U.S. market, which shows some serious commitment to bringing American consumers a reliable EV, the Japanese automaker is still playing it safe with a limited release.

More specifically, the Mitsubishi electric vehicle is set to debut in western states, such as California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington before spreading through to the rest of the U.S. market. This way Mitsubishi can keep a close eye on the vehicle's sales performance and adjust further production accordingly.

Firkins Mitsubishi, located at 2900 First Street, promises to keep you updated with any production and availability news concerning the 2012 Mitsubishi i, as it makes its way across the U.S. So make sure to stay tuned!