Monday, 30 June 2008
LANCER EVOLUTION X’S VALUE AND PERFORMANCE DRAWS IN NEW JAPANESE AND GERMAN FANS
* Lancer Evolution X uses strong value proposition to draw in new customers from German and Japanese marques
New research suggests that the all-new Lancer Evolution X is drawing new customers into the brand from premium German and other Japanese marques. A strong value proposition and excellent driving characteristics are just two of the key drivers behind customer decisions.
Part Exchange Analysis
A comprehensive study of customers buying the Lancer Evolution X since it was launched in March 2008 has shown that 38% of the part exchanges offered against the cutting edge Twin Clutch SST (Sports Shift Transmission) have been from premium German brands, while 31% have been from other Japanese competitor brands.
Sales of the manual transmission have been dominated by the FQ-360 variant, with the majority (40%) coming from existing Evo owners. A further 19% of part exchanges came from premium German marques and 20% from other Japanese manufacturers.
Lance Bradley, Mitsubishi UK’s Sales and Marketing Director asserted that, “this shows that the new Evolution X is certainly attracting people out of German cars, especially into the SST, and that the manual gearbox car is not only attracting traditional Evo customers, but also customers of other Japanese marques.”
Furthermore, several super cars have been traded in against new Lancer Evolution Xs, with one dealer handing over a Lancer Evolution X FQ-300 SST and a cheque for £90,000 against a Ferrari F430.
27 June 2008
MITSUBISHI LANCER REGISTER ATTEMPTS LARGEST EVER PARADE OF MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTIONS
* World Record attempt to get more Evo’s on-track at any one time
* Event to raise funds for the ‘Richard Burns Foundation’
On Saturday 12th July the Mitsubishi Lancer Register – the UK based organization for the owners and enthusiasts of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution – will be will be attempting to create a new World Record of having the largest parade of Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution cars.
The event will take place at Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire, England and will be supported by Mitsubishi Motors in the UK.
Darin Frow, MLR Chairman said, “The World Record attempt came about after one of our members asked what had been the largest number of Evo’s ever seen in one place? That was a year ago, and since then the idea has captured the imagination and enthusiasm of everyone within the MLR, and beyond.”
Over 300 Evolutions are already taking part and making history. The organisers of the event are also taking the opportunity to raise a significant sum of money for the Richard Burns Foundation (RBF) with every driver generating personal sponsorship. Furthermore, Mitsubishi Motors are also adding their weight to the event by not only being present on the day with a number of their own dealer and Head Office vehicles, but by also making an additional and significant donation to the RBF.
A Guinness World Record adjudicator will be in attendance on the day to allow an instant decision on the World Record attempt.
MMC and Harbin China powertrain JV sign AT licensing agreement
Tokyo, June 26, 2008 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today signed a technology licensing agreement with its powertrain JV enterprise in China Harbin Dongan Automotive Engine Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (DAE) covering production of 4- and 5-speed automatic transmissions.
DAE began construction work on a new factory in March this year with a view to commence production in April 2010. Plans call for the new facility to have an annual production capacity of 150,000 units and to produce 50,000 units in its first year of operation. Production capacity will be raised to meet future increases in demand.
MMC made a 15.3 percent equity investment in DAE on its establishment in 1998 and has to date provided engineering and technical assistance covering the production of engines ranging in size from 1.3-liter to 2.0-liter and of 5-speed manual transmissions. The automatic transmission license agreement signed today will see a further handing on of Japan's outstanding engineering technology and its commitment to excellence in craftsmanship. The technology transfer in question will allow DAE to supply core automotive parts not only its own group companies but also to other automobile manufacturers in China and will contribute to further growth and development of the Chinese automobile industry. The building up of a locally-based production system will allow MMC to meet AT market needs which are expected to increase on the back of the growth of the car market in China.
The signing of the licensing agreement was attended by, among others, MMC President Osamu Masuko, Vice Chairman of Preparatory Committee China Aviation Industry Corporation, Vice President Liu Tao Avi China Industry & Technology Company Limited, Board Chairman & President Ma ChuanLi DAE, Governor Li ZhanShu The Peoples' Government of Heilongjang Province, Mayor Zhang XiaoLian The General Office of the Peoples' Government of Harbin, and Mitsubishi Corporation Motor Vehicle Business Division COO Kozo Shiraji.
Mitsubishi Motors announces new corporate tagline
TOKYO, June 18, 2008 - Today Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced a new global tagline in order to clarify across all markets its direction for the future. The tagline, "Drive@earth," will be launched first in Japan during the summer of 2008, and is intended to convey two major themes:
First, Drive@earth means that automobiles connect us to the world. Mitsubishi's 4WD legacy has catapulted a generation of drivers to every corner of the earth, from desert dunes to city streets. Rally-tested toughness, performance and reliability make Mitsubishi Motors a trusted name on five continents. Through this trust, Mitsubishi vehicles forge a connection to customers, to communities, and ultimately to the natural world around us.
Second, Drive@earth means a new emphasis on environmental issues. It is the simple recognition that no enterprise - automotive or otherwise - makes sense without the context of a healthy planet. With climate change and dwindling oil reserves on the minds of drivers around the world, automakers have a special responsibility. MMC sets as its ideal the synergy between dynamic and environmental performance, and will continue to develop technologies - such as the zero-emissions i MiEV electric vehicle - that show as much care for the environment outside as for the occupants within.
The new tagline acts as a bridge between the company's heritage and its future. Launched in this, the first year of MMC's post-revitalization business plan, Drive@earth is an announcement of the company's renewed focus, and a symbol of its intention to build a new era of sustainable partnership.
Corporate logo for overseas market
Corporate logo for Japan market
Cooperative project for electric powertrains between PSA Peugeot Citroen and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Paris, Tokyo, June 17, 2008 - PSA Peugeot Citroen and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that both companies agreed to start a feasibility study on an extended technical collaboration in the field of electric powertrains.
This project, which will run over several months, relates to the development, the manufacture and the use of an electric powertrain for small urban vehicles.
To step up the viability of electric vehicle projects and accelerate market introduction, the companies agreed that cooperation on electric vehicle development and production would be mutually beneficial.
This new agreement reinforces the bonds between the two manufacturers who, a week ago, laid the first stone of their joint Russian factory, in Kaluga (180 km south west of Moscow)
For PSA Peugeot Citroen, this agreement lies within the scope of its Strategy and Ambition plan covering 2010-2015, which should maintain the PSA Group's leadership in environmentally friendly cars.
With an extensive knowledge of electric vehicles, PSA Peugeot Citroen is the largest global manufacturer of electric vehicles to date with more than 10,000 units sold. PSA Peugeot Citroen will bring to this project its expertise in the field of electric powertrains.
For MMC this agreement is consistent with its electric vehicle strategy.
MMC, aiming to become one of the leading car manufactures of electric vehicles, has prioritized development of the i MiEV*1 new-generation electric vehicle for introduction to the market. MMC will launch the electric vehicle in the Japanese domestic market in 2009 and is considering a possible future introduction to Europe and the U.S. .
In addition, MMC has set up Lithium Energy Japan, a Joint Venture founded in partnership with GS Yuasa and Mitsubishi Corporation, which is to supply large capacity and high performance lithium ion batteries for the i MiEV. Preparation for mass-production of the batteries is going smoothly.
*1 Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle, based on the "i" minicar
PSA Peugeot Citroën and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation lay the first foundation stone of their joint plant at Kaluga (Russia)
Kaluga, 10 June 2008 — Roland Vardanega, Member of the Managing Board and Executive Vice President, Manufacturing and Components, of PSA Peugeot Citroën and Osamu Masuko, President of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) have officially laid the first foundation stone of their joint plant in Russia, located at Kaluga, 180km south-west of Moscow.
The ceremony took place in the presence of Mr Anatoli Artamonov, Governor of the region of Kaluga, and several hundred guests.
The joint plant held 70% by PSA Peugeot Citroën and 30% by MMC will start producing mid-range (C segment) models, as of 2011, for Peugeot and Citroën and mid-range SUVs for the 3 brands. These models will be destined for the Russian automobile market.
The annual production capacity of the plant will be 160,000 units split 110,000 segment C vehicles and 50,000 SUV. Over time, its capacity may be increased to 300,000 units to meet the expected growth of the Russian market.
The plant will employ about 3,000 people and the joint initial investment for the two partners represents €470 million.
Didier Aleton of PSA Peugeot Citroën, former Director of the Russia project, has been appointed Managing Director of the new joint venture. He will oversee the operational management of the project.
For Roland Vardanega, this ceremony marks "the starting point of a tremendous long-term manufacturing project on a highly-promising market, with a partnership based on sharing best practice to reinforce mutual efficiency".
For his part, Osamu Masuko declared that "this project is the outcome of over a year's intense discussions and will lead to even deeper technical exchanges, rich in high potentiality for the two automobile groups".
-PSA Peugeot Citroen/MMC
MMC provides i MiEV electric vehicles for use at G8 Summit
i MiEV
Tokyo, June 6 2008 — Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced that it would provide 10 i MiEV*1 electric vehicles for official use at the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit. The electric vehicles will be used as transport for visiting world leaders and members of the media. Additionally, the vehicles will comprise one part of an on-site display*2 and test drive.
MMC hopes that through its small contribution, attendees of the G8 Summit will find a new appreciation for the superior practicality and environmental viability of electric vehicles.
MMC will bring the i MiEV electric vehicle to market next year (2009) in Japan, as part of its plan to help reduce global warming and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The i MiEV is based on the " i " minicar, and utilizes a large-capacity lithium-ion battery and a compact, high-output electric motor in place of the traditional powertrain.
At present, MMC is conducting fleet tests in cooperation with several domestic electric power companies, in order to make electric vehicles a common sight on Japan's roads as soon as possible. Plans are also under way to begin fleet testing of the i MiEV at more than one U.S. power company as early as this fall. Data about the effects of local climate and driving preferences, gathered in the aforementioned tests, will allow MMC to make meaningful progress toward bringing the i MiEV to market.
*1 MiEV: Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle
*2 The large-capacity lithium-ion battery used in the i MiEV will also will also be displayed at the event.
-MMC
