Nikkei reports that Mitsubishi, burdened by ongoing losses, is stopping the development of its passenger car platforms and is preparing to switch to a fully Nissan-based lineup in Japan starting in 2026. The action, which is only the most recent in a continuous trend of industry consolidation, is taken as the struggling automaker transfers its efforts to electric vehicles, according to the Japanese daily.
By March 2026, the corporation hopes to reduce the eight platforms it presently utilizes around the world to just four. For the region, its main market, Mitsubishi will continue to develop two of these architectures itself; the other two will be shared with Nissan (likely derived from the Common Modular Family of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance). This is significant for us Southeast Asians.
The names of the ASEAN-specific platforms were not made clear in the study, but we may infer that they serve as the foundation for Mitsubishi’s two most important vehicles in the area, the Xpander MPV and the Triton pickup truck. This is crucial because it indicates that the Triton will probably serve as the basis for the next-generation Nissan Navara, whereas the Xpander serves as the foundation for the current Nissan Livina.
According to Nikkei, Mitsubishi has experienced losses for the past two fiscal years. To stop the hemorrhage, the business terminated its least lucrative models, including its final two sedans (the Proudia and Dignity, based on the Infiniti Q70) in 2016 and the premium Pajero SUV in July of last year.
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Can Mitsubishi still be purchased?
With the sale of their fifth millionth vehicle in the United States, MMNA achieved a new milestone in 2015, extending a trend of 22 straight months of year-over-year sales growth and a 23 percent rise over the year before. Additionally, a lot of changes were undertaken in 2015, including the closure of Mitsubishi Motors North America’s captive finance business (MMCA).
Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, which produced the Outlander Sport model, stated in July that it would close its only North American production site in Normal, Illinois, in order to concentrate more on the expanding Asian market. After the plant’s production ceased in November 2015, it continued to make replacement parts until its official closure in May 2016. Rivian Motors, an electric vehicle manufacturer, has occupied the space. Mitsubishi is still selling automobiles in North America today, however the Lancer Evolution has since been discontinued.
Mitsubishi is it closing down?
Mitsubishi has now formally confirmed that it will be closing the aforementioned factory. The Pajero will no longer be produced, according to the company, in the first half of 2021. The choice was taken following a board of directors meeting for the business.
What causes Mitsubishi to fail?
Mitsubishi persisted in its rallying endeavors but changed from the Starion to the Lancer saloon, resulting in the Lancer Evo. The powerful Evo versions would essentially establish themselves as a brand, garnering praise for their performance, technology, and handling. When driven by Tommi Makinen, they dominated the World Rally Championship despite fierce competition from Subaru, Ford, Hyundai, and Skoda.
When the Japanese financial crisis of the 1990s hit, Mazda surpassed Mitsubishi to become the third-largest Japanese automaker, and Mitsubishi would never regain that position.
A manufacturing fault controversy involving failing brakes, gasoline leaks, and malfunctioning clutches that Mitsubishi was embroiled in in 2000 eventually led to the recall of more than 160,000 vehicles. Katsuhiko Kawasoe, the firm chairman, was fired and detained as a result of the controversy.
The electric iMiEV, which is based on the gasoline-powered Mitsubishi I arrived on the market far earlier than most other electric vehicles. Mitsubishi was the first to market, despite the fact that its 100 km range and hefty price make us chuckle today.
Mitsubishi once more gained an advantage over the rest of the auto industry by developing the first truly well-liked plug-in hybrid vehicle. Although the Outlander’s appearance and interior may not have been best-in-class, its engineering is close to unmatched, and it hasn’t experienced any of the battery dependability problems that have plagued some of its PHEV competitors.
Mitsubishi made news for all the wrong reasons once more, this time for exaggerating how inexpensive several important models on the Japanese market may be. In actuality, it was subsequently discovered that Mitsubishi may have cheated on their fuel testing for up to 25 years. More corporate blood was spilled, and the scandal allowed Renault-Nissan to acquire Mitsubishi.
Will Mitsubishi make a comeback?
However, despite the possibility of a new Evo 11, there are several problems that need to be resolved. The concept car’s ride height comes first. A crossover SUV with nearly the same riding height as vehicles like the Ford Mustang Mach 1, the Mustang Mach E GT. Folks, it still might be a crossover. But the underlying problem is not that. The comment made to the Japanese media outlet Response back in July of this year is the real issue.
Takao Kato, president and chief executive officer of Mitsubishi Motors, had two things to say. First of all, he reaffirmed that Mitsubishi is indeed returning to rally racing with the Ralliart nameplate. Tommi Makinen’s ears perked up just then. However, Kato also informed Response that no new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution models were in the works.
Is a new Mitsubishi car available?
Up to the fall, Mitsubishi will continue to sell new vehicles before switching to an aftersales-only model, according to the company. By the end of the year, new models like the plug-in hybrid Outlander and the L200 pickup will no longer be offered.
Why did Mitsubishi cease operations?
Another aspect that may have contributed to Mitsubishi’s demise was its futile attempt to compete model for model with Toyota, Nissan, and Honda. Mitsubishi simply lacked the resources necessary to stay up. The stacking graph below demonstrates how, even at its peak, the automaker was a minor player.
The following graph provides a more detailed explanation of what transpired. Early in the 1980s, sales of the Toyota, Honda, and Nissan brands surpassed those of Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Subaru. (Take note that the luxury brands that each of the “Big Three Japanese automakers” introduced are not included in these numbers.)
For instance, Honda, which sold less than 10,000 vehicles in the United States as recently as 1971, surpassed 1 million for the first time in 2000. Mitsubishi only sold 346,000 vehicles even in its best year, 2003.
Comparing separate models reveals the scale discrepancy as well. The top sales of the Galant, Mitsubishi’s entrance into the mid-sized family car segment, were 97,000 units in 2002. The volume of the Honda Accord was only one-fourth of that.
From there, things just got worse. The Galant has declined to less than 12,000 units by 2009. This volume was far insufficient to sustain a competitive design. Consequently, the vehicle was retired in 2014. Similar trends emerged with the manufacturer’s other once-promising vehicles, including the Lancer and Eclipse.
How will Mitsubishi fare?
It is very possible that this is the same dealer network that originally sold it to you.
Since learning about the termination of new vehicle sales, almost all of the current dealers have stayed with Mitsubishi. And after the after-sales operation is transferred to International Motors on October 1, 2021, the majority of them want to become Mitsubishi Service Centers and keep taking care of their devoted consumers.
Is Mitsubishi a reputable automaker?
But it’s obvious that something has changed. Mitsubishi has slipped down the list of automotive brands in recent years and is now among the least trustworthy ones. They were listed by Consumer Reports as one of the worst automakers in 2016. They scored just 51, placing them third from the bottom. Although Consumer Reports gave them an average reliability rating, they were not given a model recommendation. Ouch.
Does Mitsubishi supply Nissan?
The interiors, exteriors, and drivetrains of Mitsubishi-badged vehicles marketed in Japan will continue to be produced by the company formerly well-known for its rally-winning sedans and a wide range of independent product offerings. These vehicles will continue to be based on Nissan platforms.
Even though it is predictable, the plan results in Mitusbishi losing yet another aspect of his uniqueness. However, it’s a calculated move as more manufacturers concentrate on working together to stop the skyrocketing costs of EV development.
In an effort to reduce losses by 20%, Mitsubishi had previously planned to halt the introduction of new models in Europe. However, it was stated in March 2021 that they would continue to sell vehicles in LHD European markets starting in 2023 with two new models based on the Renault platform.
Wer kauft noch Mitsubishi?
The business launched the acclaimed Mitsubishi I kei automobile in 2006, its first new model in 29 months, as new investment dried up due to a lack of money. A revamped Outlander was also launched globally to compete in the lucrative XUV market segment. In 2007 and 2008, it introduced the Lancer Evolution and Lancer’s new generation.
In order to save costs, Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance purchase predictions were scaled back, slow-selling vehicles were removed from the U.S. market, 10,000 positions were terminated, with 3,400 employees at its Australian facility and other loss-making activities still at risk. Meanwhile, the company’s most popular dealership in Russia, the Middle East, and Ukraine are being investigated as new export markets for the Eclipse and Galant in a move to boost output at its U.S. facilities. In addition to producing automobiles for Nissan as an OEM, Mitsubishi also established a similar partnership with Groupe PSA in July 2005 to produce an SUV for that company.
In the third quarter of 2006, Mitsubishi recorded its first profitable quarter in four years. By the conclusion of the 2006 fiscal year, it had returned to profitability, and it maintained profitability and global sales of 1,524,000 through 2007 and afterwards.
Eight hybrid and battery-powered vehicles will be released by the company by 2015, according to its newest midterm business strategy, which was unveiled in January 2011. By fiscal 2012, it intended to sell its first two plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Nissan announced a controlling acquisition of Mitsubishi Motors for an estimated $2 billion in May 2016. Nissan claimed that Mitsubishi Motors will not undergo any significant changes and that the two automakers could expect to share platforms and technologies.