It looks like time is finally being called on the Mitsubishi Pajero, with the automaker reportedly looking to shut down its Pajero subsidiary in Japan within the next three years. Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that MMC is set to make a decision about the future of Pajero Manufacturing and its factory in Gifu prefecture at a board meeting today (Monday).
In addition to the Pajero, the Gifu factory also produces the Delica D5 mini-van and the Outlander SUV, but both these vehicles will likely be produced at other locations, the sources told the news agency.
That the end would come for the Pajero – also known as the Montero in certain markets – is not a surprise. Last year, the company pulled the plug on domestic sales with a 700-unit Pajero Final Edition run, and while sales continued in other markets, the lack of a successor to the fourth-gen SUV – which has been around since 2006 – has long hinted that the iconic nameplate would ultimately face a demise.
The Pajero was introduced in 1982 as a three-door, short wheelbase model before a five-door form arrived a year later. The second-generation Pajero arrived in 1991 with the now famous Super Select 4WD system. In 1999, the third-generation Pajero adopted a monocoque body with a built-in ladder frame, achieving both weight reduction and high rigidity, and the model was heavily-revised into the current iteration seven years later.
The automaker had hinted at a fifth-generation Pajero in 2013 through its Concept GC-PHEV, but nothing ever came about following the study’s debut at the Tokyo Motor Show that year. There was talk recently that the company was planning to bring the next-gen Pajero out in 2021 or 2022, but Covid-19 may have scrapped those plans for good, and the decision on whether the nameplate lives on or sails into the sunset should be known very soon.
GALLERY: 2019 Mitsubishi Pajero Final Edition
GALLERY: Mitsubishi Pajero generations through the years
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
Rebadged Proton Pajero before its sad demise?
Nobody wants ancient Pajero, so why Proton want to rebadge it? Proton is no longer a Mitsu rebadger anymore.
Mitsubishi is a brand sailing into sunset while Proton is heading towards a brighter future. How their fortunes contrasts. Once big now has fallen, what was an understudy now is master of its fate.
If Geely had not come to pick up Proton’s loss, Proton would have the same fate as Mitsubishi.
Nissan came to pick up Mitsubishi’s pieces but found they cannot be put back together again. Proton’s future is a lot more positive.
Now is 2020. Proton struggling to hit 100k units of sales. And not even on sale in Vietnam, the Philippines, Myanmar and Laos..
With 10 countries in South East Asia (read Asean), proton can easily hit 350k per annum.
https://paultan.org/2020/01/02/proton-records-11117-registrations-in-december-100821-units-sold-in-2019-saga-and-x70-top-sellers/
Proton sold 100k last year. This year ALL CAR BRANDS will have difficulties not just Proton alone.
Would be a shame since SUVs are all the rage these days
In my book, the pajero is a proper 4X4. SUVs are wannabe. Mitsu stick with its go anywhere attitude while others have moved on.
It is a poor sign that many Mitsu cars currently on sale are from the last decade; Pajero, Lancer, Outlander
used to be car for rich people in 90’s before they moved to MPV type
What?? The world is crazy about SUV now!!!
Btw, Pajero is known as Mitsubishi Shogun in the UK. They don’t know Pajero.
Nevermind the Pajero, when are we getting the Pajero Sport lah? Some of us would prefer a people mover version of the Triton you know.
That car so easily tumbang when hit by Myvi, very dangerous car.
suv craze, but stop pajero, apa logic ini
I love Mitsubishi all because of the genuineness of the spares and I am specialized Mitsubishi car parts supplier in Zambia central Africa.
But how can one buy a car direct from the mistubishi factory?
This V6 pajero is very strong and despite its look its just good and reliable very stable on the road.
As in Africa the roads are pathetic and so its easy for this pajero to go.
I have been using this pajero at my farm for quiet some time now.
I think the Mitsubishi Triton its as well strong but only the shape outside that makes it look ugly as others would say… It has contributed to its slow saling here in Zambia and some sounding countries.
The other problem is with the people they don’t have time to investigate the beauty of this car instead they always compare which is not necessary.
Take a critical check up on the the time to do your service of the filters eg air cleaner,oil filter, engine oil and the diesel filter. Don’t talk about the suspension because its to do with years so how many miles will you cover to the next susp change?
# engine capacity always affordable.
Therefore, Mitsubishi is just a friendly user.
Mitsubishi is my dream