It seems that one by one all the Japanese manufacturers are pulling out of motorsports (Honda, Suzuki, Subaru, Kawasaki). The latest casualty is Mitsubishi’s Dakar rally team. Some expected this as Mitsubishi’s luck in the rally took a down turn this year after it won the event 7 times running. It could be the new V6 diesel-based Racing Lancer (shown above), or simply because its opponents got better.
“It is extremely regrettable. I am sorry for our fans. We were a good team too. Since 2004, we continued to participate in the rally even in difficult times by cutting costs. We gained much technologically during this time. It pains me to say we will no longer be able to participate,” said president MMC Osamu Masuko.
According to Mitsubishi, pulling out from the race will cost it some money but in the long run it would be saving money. This decision comes after announcing an expected net loss of 60 billion yen (670 million dollars) for the current financial year to March, attributed to dropping sales and a strengthening Yen.
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.
Pity…
Hmmm..if P1 were rich company..
this would be the suitable time to do some show on rally..
Sad… Mitsubishi has always been associated with the Dakar rally especially Pajero.
Oh, why don’t they quit everything.
WRC next? No more Wira-lution for us?
sensible move , surprised more manufacturers not pulling out of motor sports , the ting is for japanese companies , the very high value of the yet is totally killing them no matter how much cost cutting thy do , n specially all of them rely on exports…
another one bites the dust.
the Dakar rally is going to miss one of its’ most colourful competitor, literally n figuratively, as Mitsubishi is one of its’ most successful competitor n it will be a great loss not only to the Dakar rally but to motor sports in general n particularly to its’ fans around the world. sayonara to Mitsubishi.
Market is so bad.
somehow i kinda feel wat an akward timing they pulled out.
1. The Japanese team has won the rally a total of 12 times, including seven consecutive victories until the 2009 race
2. Defending champion Stephane Peterhansel and his Mitsubishi teammates all pulled out in the first week as their new diesel-powered Lancers failed to match the pace of Volkswagen
To me it feels like they had no chance of beating the VWs so instead of being shamed, they gracefully quite blaming it on the economic crisis….
just my 2cents
cam.shaft
like ive said before…pandai saving!!
To me it feels like they had no chance of beating the VWs so instead of being shamed, they gracefully quite blaming it on the economic crisis….
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i think thats too simplistic an explanation.
its the smart thing to do actually for mitsu. i dont think its just because of one race with a new car not showing results a company will quit. its definitely a wider strategy company-wide to cut costs.
losing a race is normal in racing. all teams go through it and you cant win forever. but to close down an entire race team thats been racing since the 80′s? thats a very very difficult thing to do. its a clear sign that money is the key reason.
next time u will c perodua nautica on the run ..
hahax ..
So, if early signs show want to loose, better quit early. Safe face. Also can say mitsu won 7 times in a row, and did not win 2010 because they did not enter the event due to economic crisis. 50 years from now, people won’t be talking they chickened out.
yeah… temporary cancel all motorsport in the year 2009 due to global financial crisis then resume all back the next year would be a better choice…
mystvearn said,
February 5, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
So, if early signs show want to loose, better quit early. Safe face. Also can say mitsu won 7 times in a row, and did not win 2010 because they did not enter the event due to economic crisis. 50 years from now, people won’t be talking they chickened out.
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spend millions to build a new car, and quit coz you lose one race? in case you didnt realise, the world is in a financial crisis. mitsubishi are not the 1st company to back out and are certainly not the last.. so i suppose if you are right(and i’m certain you are not) all who back out of racing now are scared of losing.. come on la.. that is so ridiculous.
BanyakMasukWorkshop – agreed!
subaru, mitsu, who’s next?