Mitsubishi’s last hand of cards in the US is it’s latest facelifted Mitsubishi Outlander SUV which goes on sale this fall. If it does not do well, Mitsubishi might have to pull out of the US market.
Mitsubishi’s fate in the US hangs on the hopes that it’s newly redesigned Outlander, Lancer and other vehicles sell well. Sales for Mitsubishi in the US were 123,995 units in 2005, down from 345,111 in 2002. That is a huge drop. Every product development dollar counts now. Sales are already down 16% this year. Hopefully the numbers will be boosted again when the Outlander SUV goes on sale. Mitsubishi has a good image as a four wheel drive vehicle manufacturer globally, especially with the hugely successful Pajero model. It hopes to re-establish it’s SUV image in the USA.
Mitsubishi dealers in the US have cited lack of advertising as one of the problems which contributed to dropping sales figures. “We have some of the finest automobiles in the U.S., such as the Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder, but nobody knows about them. I don’t think they have enough funds to spend in the U.S. As a franchise, we’re not moving and shaking,” says Bill Seidie who has a Mitsubishi dealership in Miami.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
The eclipse is a sweet, sweet car, I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. Too bad they aren't sold anywhere other than the US
It so sad to see mitsubishi dying even though they have iconic vehicles such as the Pajero and the Evo.
eclipse…i like the year 95 eclipse…looks great…saw some and its really beautiful…
its hard for them to compete with the other jap makers who is establish in us market….many us citizen were using nissan and toyota…its hard for them to compete…
many of them don't know mit eclipse because they have they own eclipse called eagle talon. da!
may be mitsubishi can consider malaysia for their new base if they really pull out from US, hehe…. then we can get some cheaper mitsubishi cars..
The eclipse is crap compared to the previous models. totally lack of racing spirit
this outlander is the new car rite???not facelifted for airtrek rite???a bit confuse about that…the dsg still similar…jz change the front look only…
I think Mits had lost it. They may be near the top of the food chain with their Pajero decade(s) ago but not any more. New Landcruiser has the new Pajero market for lunch nowadays. And all those scandal about not making the necessary recalls aren't helping. I think that's why they are getting into bed with Proton again. Hoping 2 wrongs can make a right?
i dunno y…but they had to keep up in the suv market…need a lot of works since toyota,nissan and honda is conquering the small size suv…with this outlander…jz forget abt it…in us…they hd a higher praise on the toyota and nissan suv…and honda…some model..the pilot and the mdx….
no comment on dis .
maybe mit can focus on other country .
lol !
put more mitsubishi car in our country here..he..he..he..
fact is mistu has got a really realy bad reputation since admittin their cars carried some sort of defect over the past 2 decades!…i mean imagine what poeple who owned those cars will fell like..yea…almost every car maker carrie some sort of defects but mitsu's were on major workin parts due to lack of monitorin in factories….well…if theuy are gonna survive …they have to break the bank and take the risk by plungin into the resources to come up wit new designs..i mean i know lot of evo fans here..but common….how many eveloutions can it go!?????? its basically the same chasis .reinforced and changed over the past decade and a half!!!!……its a great car fer sure…but how long can they bank on that….just look at fiat..they have been on da red fer years….they took risks…they plunged into they resources..and they are seem to eb recoverin ..slowly but surely…….mitsu's gotta stop relyin on their past sucess and reputation to bring in new customers…