MMNA to end production of the Eclipse and Endeavor this week.

NORMAL -- The last of the Eclipse coupes, Spyder convertibles and Endeavor SUVs will roll off Mitsubishi assembly lines at the end of the week.

Mitsubishi Eclipse

The Normal plant will then begin a retooling process that will result in the production of the Outlander Sport crossover SUV by mid-2012. Mitsubishi Motors North America will produce the Galant for about another year.

Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder

MMNA spokesman Dan Irvin said the plant's 1,300 workers are somewhat sentimental as they say goodbye to the current models, but are excited about the future. In February, Japanese parent company Mitsubishi Motors Corp. announced a $100 million investment in the plant to produce the Outlander Sport.

"The Eclipse and Spyder are something our brand was identified with," said Irvin. "But I think everybody is looking ahead and focuses very much on that. Whether you get a new job, or house, or appliance, or car, you're more excited about the new one and the opportunities to come than dwelling on what got you this far."

Mitsubishi Endeavor

The Eclipse, Spyder and Endeavor will be available for purchase through at least the end of 2011, and MMNA will continue to make service parts for those models for six to seven years, said Irvin.

In the meantime, employees will focus on re-tooling the plant and training for production of the crossover SUV. Irvin said the first task will be removing equipment from the body shop.

Installation of new equipment is still a few months away.

"There's not a lot of installation of new equipment for now. That won't happen until the first of next year, or at the earliest late this year," said Irvin.

He said there will be some period of time next year when the plant will produce both the Galant and Outlander Sport crossover SUV before the Galant is retired.

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