Well guys, it looks like Mitsubishi is tired of being the underdog and they're about to do something about it.

Presenting the Mitsubishi "Jump 2013" short-term Plan.

There's a lot going on, a lot of information being released by Mitsubishi since last week...

I will list everything and post links:

1 - Mitsubishi Global Small Car is rendered and ready for the 81st Geneva Auto Salon, starting March 1st through the 13th:

Link: http://www.insideline.com/mitsubishi...auto-show.html

Link: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/18/m...-geneva-debut/

Link: http://media.mitsubishicars.com/rele...4-5c3e4d38a71a

2 - Mitsubishi's Project America is officially dead, and the US-built Eclipse, Eclipse Spyder, Endeavor and Galant will be phased out by 2013; Normal, IL will remain open and there is talk of a B-segment car or SUV being built there by the time the three US-cars are phased out; There's no word on what will be built but it will be based off the current Japanese Lancer/Outlander platform:

Link: http://www.autonews.com/article/20110120/OEM/110129998

Link: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/20/r...or-and-galant/

Link: http://www.insideline.com/mitsubishi...2013-plan.html

3 - Mitsubishi is planning to bring a total of 8 Electric and Plug-in Hybrid vehicles by 2015, 4 of which will be rolled out by 2013; 2015 Plan is mid-term for a full blown 2020 Plan where Mitsubishi expects to have at least 20% sales coming from full-electric cars:

Link: http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/21/m...icles-by-2015/

Link: http://media.mitsubishicars.com/rele...2-2a014d37cd64

4 - Mitsubishi is partnering with Nissan to develop a 1ton Truck:

Link: http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/r...mall-possibly/



We also know Mitsubishi spent half a billion in Thailand in a brand new plant, which means they're serious about this stuff:

http://www.insideline.com/mitsubishi...hai-plant.html

We also know Road And Track mentioned stuff about the 2012 Lancer, but that can be pure speculation... All we can do is wait for Mitsu's press-release at the Geneva Auto Show and hope they have news, and good news regarding the Lancer/Evo of 2012/2013:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-c...subishi-lancer


Well there it is... it's all over the news, and Mitsu is back on people's mouth, specially after hearing that the Eclipse was being axed.

I really don't care about the current Eclipse (vehicle) being killed, but they should really consider keeping the name for a revival in the coming years, assuming they still intent to go forward with the Concept RA.

That's about it... Here's to a new start and a brighter future for our favorite brand! Go Mitsu Go!

 

If they're going green, watch them axe the EVO.

 

RIP Eclipse and Galant in 2013, you will be missed. At least the 1g and 2g Eclipse/Talon and the VR4 Galant that is.

Only memories now...

 

I had a feeling they'd be dropping the Eclipse.. For now.

It wouldn't surprise me if they brought the Eclipse name back on a 'sport hybrid', like the CR-Z, to promote it.

 

I wonder what the new models could be hrm hrm. If they really have that much space to play around... maybe we could see a more Mitsu-based successor to the ever sexy 3000GT-- if they do well enough.

We're probably going to get stuck with more eco minivans, sedans though.

 

and the fact that they gonna make the Evo less sporty, is kind of a downer as well, as it separates us some from the BMW, Audi, and the Benz.

 

I don't think you could ever come close to comparing Mitsu with those 3...

They're just completely different animals

 

8 years just to improve ? i dont think so ..

 

That is true but who would ever have thought the new hyundai equus would have been put up against the lexus ls460. Maybe mitsu will step up their game like hyundai did. Kind of off topic I apoligize.

 

Building the Lancer, Outlander and Outlander Sport in Normal is a no-brainer if they expect to stay in this market. The dollar to yen exchange makes that a necessity. I'm assuming all Evos (and Ralliarts) will continue to be Japanese built though.

I hate to see them drop the Eclipse name though, out of all three of those cars I think its name has the most equity with American buyers. Galant is a second IMO, even though it is an older name. I doubt people will miss the Endeavor, they just let it wither and for some reason the even more awkward looking Murano is the king of the segment. They should strongly consider coming back with the Montero as I think the fake CR roll over scandal is long forgotten and the name is more recognizable then Endeavor - which itself was the top of the line trim level for a 2000 Montero. It should pick up where it left off, a unibody SUV with off-road credentials, about the size of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, packed with technology but not stupid expensive like a Landcruiser.

The Colt and i can't get here soon enough.

 

problem is that mitsu doesnt have an up-to-date V6, no V8 at all, and americans dont buy diesel... if they want to get serious about their suv/crossover/trucks in the US, they NEED a new or heavily updated V6 to compete.

besides the small outlander sport, i dont see them using gas turbo 4's in their suvs.

 

i used to lament the direction mitsu is going with the emphasis on electric vehicles, but i did some more reading on the PX-MiEV and wow its a real winner on paper. its like a mix of the chevy volt and a dash of evo...

if they used a 4B11T as the engine, and allow the engine to help turn the rear wheels? this thing would be seriously fast. mitsu is going to be in a good position once the hybrid/plug-in/ev wave comes crashing in....

 

Any specific articles to share?

 

Hyundai is doing everything right and it shows. Their new hot hatch the Veloster is going to do everything the CR-Z didn't and be a huge competitor to the hot hatch market with the likes of the GTI and other cars

If Mitsubishi turned the Eclipse around like what Hyundai did to the Tiburon and the Genesis, we would have something going on. As it stands though, the brains at Mitsubishi just want to follow Honda and Toyota like the drones they are and slip away into the dust.

If they don't get the next Evo right I think it's over for Mitsubishi.

 

I have to disagree with the comment. I highly doubt the Evo is the best selling car mitsu sells... If that were true I'd see more new Evos on the road than I do new Galants, Endeavors, etc. If they were to drop the Evo it would be devestating to us, but I doubt it would affect them too much with the current move to electric/hybrid vehicles which is seems mitsu is making a quick move on. Now do I think that they'll do this in 8 years... Doubtful, but they're heading in the right direction and if their sales pick up in the markets outside of the Evo then they can direct more money towards R&D on new technologies to make better Evos in the future.