Mitsubishi's Future in America Uncertain, New Small Models Coming as Larger Models Fade

While Mitsubishi works on making a new global small car, any development on the future of its "larger" cars has been put on hold. What does that mean for Mitsubishi Stateside? Well, it doesn't look good.

The small car would possibly be offered here in 2012 (it's said to have sub-1.5 liter 3-cylinder engine), but it's hard to believe a small efficient car (and the Lancer family) could be enough to justify keeping the brand here. There's light on the horizon, but more on that in a bit.

First, about the larger "names" at Mitsubishi: Eclipse and Galant. According to a report from Autoweek, until a decision regarding their futures is made later this year, the PS platform-based Eclipse / Eclipse Spyder, mid-size Galant sedan, and mid-size Endeavor crossover are going to keep being built as they are in Normal, Illinois.

Now, if someone were to come in and provide Mitsubishi with an investment (PSA Peugeot Citroën, I'm looking your way), the plant could be retooled and updated to build some really neat cars. If not, then Mitsubishi may be stuck with less than a decent lineup.

Thankfully, there's that upside: a few new and interesting models will be showing up in the next two years in order to impress upon consumer's Mitsubishi's new brand image. What kind of image? That of a manufacturer of compact, efficient, and electric cars. People will like that, right?

First, there's the Outlander Sport / RVR / ASX that will take on Kia's Soul and Nissan's Juke this fall with the Lancer's 2.0-liter engine, and the i-Miev electric buggy kei car should appear later next year as a 2012 model. If Mitsubishi really expects people to seriously consider a sub-$30,000 i-Miev (good luck with that), consumers would need to be offered more than "a basic stereo system, air-conditioning and heating units and power windows and locks."

Meanwhile, the Lancer lineup and the Outlander should both expect a mild (aka cheap) refresh in the next few years.

What could Mitsubishi do to survive in the States? Any ideas? By now, I'm certain Mitsubishi is listening.

By Phil Alex

Via: Autoweek

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Tokyo '09: Mitsubishi i-MiEV Cargo, an All-Electric Breadvan for the not so Needy

Now that the i-MiEV hybrid has become a production reality, Mitsubishi is exploring other possibilities to expand the city car's range with the world premiere of the i-MiEV Cargo concept at next month's Tokyo motorshow. The pint-size breadvan with the does away with the hatchback model's rear doors while gaining additional cargo space at the back thanks to a newly designed and taller rear end.


The cube-shaped rear compartment measures 1,350 mm wide by 1,180 mm deep and 1,100 mm high and features a flat floor. According to Mitsubishi, it allows every inch of available space to be utilized - not that there's much to go around...


There are no changes to the drivetrain that consists of a 330-volt lithium-ion battery system located under the floor deck and an electric motor that drives the rear wheels and develops an output of 47kW or 64HP and 180Nm or 132.8-lbs/ft of torque.

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Peugeot i0n EV: Rebadged Mitsubishi i-MiEV All-Electric Mini to Debut in Frankfurt, Goes on Sale in 2010

Looks like Pug's designers had a much easier task than initially thought when we decided to 'chop' a Peugeot fascia on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV after the announcement on the introduction of the Peugeot and Citroen EVs based on the Japanese mini. In what seems like a five minute job, Peugeot slapped one of its logos on the i-MiEV, changed the alloy wheels and slightly altered the front bumper to accommodate Euro-plates and 'voila': the new Peugeot i0n...


The French automaker, which claims to be the manufacturer with the most "zero emission" electric vehicles sold in the world to this day with models like the Peugeot 106 Electric that was produced between 1995 and 2003, will display the i0n for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month..


The European-spec i-MiEV (let's not fool ourselves, that's what the i0n is) is motivated by an electric motor that drives the rear wheels producing an output of 47kW or 64HP and 180Nm or 132.8-lbs/ft of maximum torque that allows the 3,480 mm long mini to achieve a top speed of 130 km/h (80mph).


The four-seater EV has an operating range of 130 kilometers or 80 miles on a single charge of its lithium-ion batteries that can be fully recharged in six hours using a domestic mains power supply. If you use the fast charge system, the batteries can be recharged up to 80% capacity within thirty minutes.


Production of both the Citroen and Peugeot variants of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV will commence in October 2010 with sales pegged to start in Europe towards the end of 2010.


We remind you that the PSA Peugeot - Citroen Group has another ongoing project with Mitsubishi in the form of the Outlander based Peugeot 4007 and Citroen C-Crosser SUVs.

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Peugeot and Citroen Announce All-Electric Minis Based on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV EV, Sales Start in 2010

Earlier this year, Mitsubishi and PSA Peugeot Citroen announced that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding collaboration on electric vehicles (EVs) based on the Japanese firm's i-MiEV EV. Today, Osamu Masuko, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors and Philippe Varin, CEO of PSA, finished the deal by signing a cooperative agreement in Paris. The vehicle is to be sold in Europe in both Peugeot and Citroen versions with production planned to commence in October 2010 and sales by the end of 2010.


Mitsubishi launched the new-generation EV i-MiEV in Japan in June, and will begin global sales of the right-hand drive vehicle this year with LHD versions following in 2010.


In Japan, the EV i-MiEV is priced from 4,599,000 Yen (almost $50,00 US / €35,00 at today's rates), or more than double the price of a JDM Toyota Prius that costs 2,050,000 Yen or $22,000.


The all-electric version of the i-MIEV is powered by an electric motor that drives the rear wheels and develops an output of 47kW or 64HP and 180Nm or 132.8-lbs/ft of maximum torque.


According to Japanese automaker, the vehicle's lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged in 7-14 hours delivers up to 100 miles or 160 km of pure electric driving.


It is expected that the PSA group will follow a similar path to that of the Toyota co-developed Aygo, 107 and C1 project with the i-MiEV, meaning that the differences between the Citroen, Peugeot and Mitsubishi models will most likely be limited to the front fascia and the rear end design.


*The Peugeot picture above is a Carscoop Photoshop

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