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Nissan to supply Fuga sedan to Mitsubishi in Japan

September 22, 2011 at 4:21 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi, Nissan


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Nissan and Mitsubishi have yet again expanded the scope of their OEM supply agreements in the Japanese market. From next year, Nissan will provide the Fuga luxury sedan to Mitsubishi, to be rebadged and sold by the latter, and Mitsubishi is to provide its MINICAB-MiEV commercial mini EV to Nissan, also sometime in 2012.

The two new OEM project agreements are part of the core agreement signed in December 2010 to expand cooperation between the two companies, and follow on a prior agreement for Nissan to provide the NV200 Vanette compact van to Mitsubishi (rebadged as the Delica D:3) beginning this October, as well as the establishment of the NMKV minicar joint venture, which was announced in June 2011.

As an interesting aside, the Fuga was being bandied about as the Perdana replacement for top-level government use only, though speculation has pretty much dissipated with the announcement of the impending Proton-MMC collaboration. To think it could somehow pop up again in the picture, as a Mitsubishi, is improbable, all very far fetched.

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Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VGT – 178 PS, 350 Nm, RM167,375

September 22, 2011 at 2:34 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has unveiled the Pajero Sport VGT, a higher powered version of the seven-seat SUV. The launch ceremony was held at Midvalley Megamall this morning, and display units will be at the mall’s Centre Court all weekend.

The big news for the Pajero Sport VGT is under the hood. It is powered by a 2.5-litre DI-D commonrail diesel engine, which is essentially the same as the unit powering the standard Pajero Sport and Triton, but with Variable Geometry Turbo (VGT). With those variable vanes, the DOHC 16v engine puts out 178 PS of power and 350 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 3,500 rpm.

The non VGT turbodiesel in the Pajero Sport GS and GL does 136 PS and 314 Nm, so we’re looking at a substantial improvement of 42 PS and 36 Nm. Max torque in the VGT is also spread across a wide range, compared to the 2,000 rpm peak of the non VGT engine.

The drivetrain improvements don’t stop there. The Pajero Sport VGT comes with a 5-speed INVECS-II automatic, which has one extra forward ratio over the GL and GS. Like the four speeder, the VGT’s gearbox also comes with sport mode, but there’s the addition of steering paddles shifters. The long magnesium paddles are the standard Mitsubishi items as found in other models, which works well.

Power is transferred to the surface via Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD system, which has four modes: 2WD High Range, 4WD High Range, 4WD High Range with Locked Centre Differential and 4WD Low Range with Locked Centre Differential. Changing between 2WD and 4WD high range modes can be done on the fly at speeds of up to 100 km/h.

Equipment wise, the Pajero Sport VGT comes with a 2-DIN Kenwood touch screen head unit with GPS. The colour screen of the ICE also doubles up as display for the reverse camera, which is standard. Besides that, the VGT comes with cruise control with buttons on the steering and automatic air con, which are already on the Pajero Sport GS.

We noticed that the front seats look different, and MMM confirms that the design has been revised for more support. They’re leather wrapped, by the way.

The Pajero Sport VGT is priced at RM167,375.80 on the road without insurance, which is about RM5,000 costlier than the GS 4WD variant. Seems like fair value for the extras, which is why MMM is looking at a 50% increase in sales volume for the Pajero Sport range with the addition of the VGT.

Live gallery from the event is after the jump.
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Mitsubishi begins i-MiEV joint testing with PTT in Thailand

September 22, 2011 at 2:28 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Mitsubishi

It’s a step further towards going the EV route in Thailand for Mitsubishi – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has announced that its Thai subsidiary Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh) has begun joint testing of the i-MiEV with PTT Public Company Limited, which is the largest energy company in the country.

Mitsubishi Thailand has started specific testing with two power companies, these being Metropolitan Electricity Authority and PEA ENCOM, as part of its efforts towards researching consumer acceptability, marketability, as well as charging infrastructure in the kingdom.

PTT plans to install a quick charger at the PTT Research and Technology Institute by the end of this year, so both PTT and MMTh will actively cooperate in the research and the development of EV charging infrastructure.

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Proton and Mitsubishi’s broad range strategic collaboration to benefit both companies

September 15, 2011 at 7:32 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mitsubishi, Proton

The announcement made earlier today by Proton and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) that both automakers were in a detailed discussion to enter a broad ranging collaboration, with a firm focus on developing a powertrain joint venture, is a positive move for the national carmaker.

Proton chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh said that in collaborating with MMC, there would be no need for either company to swap equities or exchange shares. “Both companies stand to gain with the economies of scale, which will lower the cost of development,” he said.

Entering the final phases of discussion, details about the collaboration as well as the investment in the JV should be finalised in the next two months. At the press briefing announcing this, six strategic areas of the colloboration were delved on briefly.

On the powertrain front, Proton is set to build engines for MMC, which the national carmaker is also set to utilise in its future model lineup. The benefit to Proton is that it reduces development cost and time and provides economies of scale with the joint volumes, said Proton managing director Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin.


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“We have to make a decision on whether to invest in a new engine, or collaborate. The duration if we were to invest in our own engine would be 18-24 months, and we’d have to invest a lot of money. In working together, we’ll have greater economies of scale,” Syed Zainal said.

The MMC powertrain production is set to take place in Tanjung Malim, and the work will not just be for assembly but involve casting and machining processes as well.

“Besides the powertrain JV, the other step of the collaboration we are finalising is the opportunity to also do OEM assembly for MMC for its products. We’re talking about two products, and one of these could obviously bring down the cost structure for MMC, and we’d offer them a quick market for it,” Syed Zainal added. No mention was made as to which these models are, though it has been bandied about that the Mitsubishi ASX is one of them.

While increasing capacity utilisation in its plants would bring about additional revenue, it is yet to be decided whether Tanjung Malim or Shah Alam will handle the consignment production of these MMC-brand models.


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Elsewhere, following on the broader strategic front scope, there was also mention of product and platform collaboration, with the co-utilisation of these aimed at further improving scale with joint values and stretching the commercial value of Proton’s products. This will also minimise the investment needed and also bring about the ability to tap into existing MMC JV partners to reduce the complexity of the collaboration.

Component sourcing is also to be improved, with joint sourcing and a commonisation of components tapping on existing component bins helping to reduce cost as well as improve purchasing power.

Meanwhile, in other news today, the company made the announcement that the facelifted Exora MPV was due to make its market debut in two months time. The long-awaited turbocharged 1.6 litre Campro mill is also set to finally make its way into the market, and also set to be introduced is a six-seater premium variant of the MPV called the Exora Prime.

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Proton and Mitsubishi strategic collaboration – Proton to build cars/engines for MMC, parts sharing for small car!

September 15, 2011 at 4:16 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Malaysian Makes, Mitsubishi, Proton

Proton and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) have jointly announced today that they are in serious discussion for strategic collaboration to further strengthen the competitiveness of both companies. The items being considered for collaboration include the following:

- Joint production of engines in Malaysia
- Consignment production of MMC-brand vehicles at Proton facilities
- Sharing of major parts and components between MMC’s “Global Small” and Proton’s upcoming “Global Small Car”
- Provision of MMC’s future tech such as electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicle technology

So it looks like Proton’s plant, which has spare capacity, will churn out CKD Mitsubishi models. MMC’s Global Small Car (to be launched in March 2012) is out of the question, since Proton has its own upcoming small car (EMAS), and the Lancer is already made here with a Proton badge. Could it be the Mitsubishi ASX compact crossover then?

According to the statement, Proton and MMC had “jointly proceeded with feasibility studies since late 2010″ to identify these areas of collaboration that improves global competitiveness for both parties. We previously heard that Proton was talking with Nissan on a collaboration, but it’s clear now that it didn’t work out.

For Proton, this deal will help it expand its line up of cars and make good use of its under utilised production capacity, mainly at Tanjung Malim. For MMC, this is part of a plan to expand its footprint in ASEAN. They already have a presence in Thailand, building trucks, truck based SUVs and the eco car. So perhaps Malaysia can contribute to the cause with a sedan and crossover.

More updates soon.

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Mitsubishi Pajero Sport VGT to arrive later this month – 178 PS, 350 Nm, estimated RM173k

September 7, 2011 at 12:21 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mitsubishi

Another variant of the Pajero Sport is coming about – Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia is set to introduce the VGT variant of the big ‘un sometime later this month. As the acronym suffix suggests, the version will feature a variable geometric turbocharger.

The company says that the Pajero Sport VGT’s 2.5 litre commonrail diesel 4D56 mill, as such equipped, will feature improved performance, with higher levels of power and torque than what the current turbocharged oil burner offers (which is 136 PS at 3,000 rpm and 314 Nm at 2,000 rpm). No figures were mentioned in the release, but output numbers for the VGT version should very well be 178 PS at 4,000 rpm and 350 Nm at 1,800-3,500 rpm, a pretty nice jump indeed.

The seven-seater is estimated to roll in at around RM173,000, and will join the Pajero Sport GS 4WD and Pajero Sport GL 2WD in MMM’s lineup. That’s the GS in the pix above, by the way.

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Targeting 100k US sales, Mitsubishi fields Lancer SE AWD

August 24, 2011 at 10:12 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi


US market Lancer Ralliart is a junior Evo with 237 hp 4B11T, AWD and Twin Clutch-SST

Mitsubishi sales in the US has been on a downward trend, but the company is fighting back, looking at the 100,000 sales mark as a target. Part of the offensive is a new non-performance AWD version of the Lancer, something previously unheard of.

The Lancer SE will be the cheapest all wheel drive car in the Lancer range. It’s AWD siblings are the Ralliart and Evolution versions which are turbocharged performance models. Of the two, the cheaper Ralliart (pic) starts at about $27,000.

The SE AWD will be priced around $20,000, and will be naturally aspirated, like the front driven DE, ES and GTS variants MMC sells in America. Mitsu expects 15 to 20% of Lancer buyers to opt for the SE. Bear in mind that unlike here, where AWD is viewed solely from the performance perspective, it snows in America.

Mitsubishi is looking at sales of 73,000 vehicles in its fiscal year ending March 2012. The next target is 100,000. “We are quickly recovering from the bottom years of 2009 and 2010. We want to be getting back as quickly as possible to 100,000 units in a few years,” said Yoichi Yokozawa, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America. The last time MMC sold over 100k in USA was in 2007, with 128,993 units.

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Mitsubishi Triton RA Edition – extra kit, only 500 units

August 11, 2011 at 5:19 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Mitsubishi


Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia has introduced the Triton RA Edition, which is limited to 500 units. The “rally inspired” RA Edition is based on the Triton 2.5 A/T, which means it’s powered by Mitsubishi’s 2.5-litre DI-D commonrail diesel engine with 136 PS and 314 Nm of torque. This comes after MMM launched the Lancer Sportback RA Edition last month.

As with any limited edition, there’s more kit to be had. The Triton RA Edition comes with an accessory package that includes a tonneau cover, bumper extender, body stickers, window visor, Ralliart logo embroidered on the seats, aluminium scuff plate, Triton RA carpet mats and Ralliart emblems. There’s also a limited edition serial number in the cabin. The RA Edition is only available in Black Mica or White Solid.

Inside, the RA’s centre stack houses an LCD touch screen entertainment system with built-in GPS navigation. The full colour screen also doubles up as a display for the reverse camera, while the seats are covered in leather.

For the rather long list of added kit, and the exclusivity, one needs to part with RM103,980 on the road inclusive of insurance, decent value when the standard Triton 2.5 A/T is priced at RM95,980. The Triton is imported CBU from Thailand.

More pictures after the jump.
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Mitsubishi Pajero Sport production begins in Bangladesh

August 9, 2011 at 6:00 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi

Another production location opens up for the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, in Bangladesh – Mitsubishi has announced that it has begun local production and sales of the SUV in the country.

The Pajero Sport is being assembled at the Chittagong plant of Pragoti Industries Limited (PIL), MMC’s business partner in Bangladesh, and will be sold through PIL’s domestic sales network. The initial production and sales figures is expected to be around 500 units annually.

PIL is a state-owned automobile assembler operated by the Bangladesh Ministry of Industries and has had operational ties with Mitsubishi since 1977, when it began assembling and selling Mitsubishi models there. The previous-generation Pajero has been sold in the country since 1995.

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Mitsubishi to rebadge Nissan NV200 as Delica D:3 in Japan

August 8, 2011 at 7:19 pm By Anthony Lim Filed Under Cars, International News, Mitsubishi, Nissan

The OEM partnership between Mitsubishi and Nissan looks to be growing even further – Mitsubishi is set to take yet another vehicle from Nissan into its model line-up for the domestic market.

Thus far, under the existing OEM agreements with Nissan, Mitsubishi is selling the AD commercial vehicle under its badge, while supplying its eK Wagon and other minivehicles, according to reports. Already, both companies have set up a JV to develop mini-cars for the market, with operations having begun in June.

Now, Mitsubishi is set to add Nissan’s NV200 van to the list and plans to start selling the 1.6 litre-class vehicle as the Delica D:3 sometime from the end of October, and it’s hoping to shift 5,000 units for the initial year.

The company is also mulling over getting a luxury sedan like the Teana to sell under its own brand. Having considerably trimmed its model line-up, 60% of Mitsubishi’s domestic sales are now made up of mini-vehicles, and the reports add that procuring more models from Nissan will allow the company to feature a more balanced product range without increasing its R&D spending.

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