MMC to launch new Delica D:3 Minivan and Delican Van LCV

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to Launch New Delica D:3 Minivan and Delica Van Light Commercial Vehicle in Japan

Tokyo, October 6, 2011 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced today that it will launch the Delica D:3*, a new compact minivan, and the Delica Van, a new light commercial vehicle in the Japanese market on October 27. The Delica D:3 and Delica Van have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of between \1,879,000 and \1,974,000 and between \1,685,000 and \1,965,000 respectively.

2011 Delica D:3 G

* The name Delica is coined from "Delivery Car;" D is the initial letter of "Delica" and the number 3 is used by the company to denote a vehicle of minivan size.

The Delica D:3 targets larger families as it covers a wide range of purposes from everyday to leisure use. The Delica D:3 and Delica Van to be added to the Delica range are both models supplied to MMC by Nissan Motor on an OEM basis and is a result of the agreement to expand business collaboration reached between the two companies in December last year.

Delica Van DX

The new Delica Van fits into the same size class as the current Delica Van and offers top-of-class load carrying capacity as well as a level of fuel economy that qualifies it for Japanese eco-car tax incentives, making it the ideal light commercial vehicle for business use. The replacement of the current Delica Van with the new model will also be accompanied by the withdrawal of the Delica Truck from the lineup.

Mitsubishi to sell rebadged Nissan NV200 as the Delica D:3

The OEM partnership between Mitsubishi and Nissan looks to be growing even further – Mitsubishi is set to take yet another vehicle from Nissan into its model line-up for the domestic market.

Nissan NV200

Thus far, under the existing OEM agreements with Nissan, Mitsubishi is selling the AD commercial vehicle under its badge, while supplying its eK Wagon and other minivehicles, according to reports. Already, both companies have set up a JV to develop mini-cars for the market, with operations having begun in June.

Now, Mitsubishi is set to add Nissan’s NV200 van to the list and plans to start selling the 1.6 litre-class vehicle as the Delica D:3 sometime from the end of October, and it’s hoping to shift 5,000 units for the initial year.

The company is also mulling over getting a luxury sedan like the Teana to sell under its own brand. Having considerably trimmed its model line-up, 60% of Mitsubishi’s domestic sales are now made up of mini-vehicles, and the reports add that procuring more models from Nissan will allow the company to feature a more balanced product range without increasing its RD spending.

Source: PaulTan.org

Nissan Navara to be manufactured in Mitsubishi's Thailand plant starting in 2012

Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors Expand Collaboration
Navara Pickup to be Manufactured at Mitsubishi Motors' Plant in Thailand

YOKOHAMA/TOKYO (July 13, 2011) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today announced that the two companies have agreed to manufacture the current generation Nissan Navara, a one-ton pickup truck, at Mitsubishi Motors' plant in the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate in Thailand. The production under this agreement is scheduled to commence in 2012.

This new production is part of an agreement signed in December 2010 to expand the scope of cooperation between the two companies. It follows a prior announcement in June 2011 regarding the establishment of the joint venture NMKV Co., Ltd, to develop both companies' minicar business in Japan. This new production agreement is expected to enhance the competitiveness of both companies.

NMKV Co., Ltd is the new joint venture of Nissan and Mitsubishi [JP]

Establishment of new Minicar Joint Venture
- Company to be named NMKV Co., Ltd -
YOKOHAMA/TOKYO (June 20, 2011) - NMKV Co., Ltd, a new joint venture formed by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation to develop minicars for the Japanese market, today announced an overview of its future business plans.

The new joint venture was established and commenced operations on June 1, 2011, with 35 employees. NMKV Co., Ltd is based in Takanawa, Minato Ward, Tokyo.

The new company will integrate the product planning and engineering of future minicars for Nissan and Mitsubishi in the Japanese market by harnessing the product planning know-how possessed by each company. It was formed to unite the strengths of Nissan and Mitsubishi in the areas of vehicle engineering, development and parts sourcing, as part of an overall strategy to bring new minicar products to market.

More than a third of new car sales in the Japanese market come from the minicar segment as the demand for smaller cars and eco-cars remains strong. This new joint venture for minicar development will enable Nissan to continue development of products that reflect Nissan's DNA at the design and product planning phases. The JV will benefit Mitsubishi by supplying highly-competitive products to its product line-up and by offering increased economies of scale advantages through Nissan's purchasing capacity.

The establishment of the NMKV Co., Ltd is part of the project to expand the scope of business collaboration that the two companies agreed to in December 2010.

Corporate Outline of NMKV Co., Ltd
Date of establishment: June 1, 2011
Capital: 10 million yen
Capital structure:
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.: 50%
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation: 50%
Company Address: 3-23-17 Takanawa, Minato Ward, Tokyo
Employee: About 35 employees
Business description: Product planning and engineering of minicars for the Japanese market
Main board members:
CEO (Chief Executive Officer): Junichi Endo
COO (Chief Operating Officer): Shinichi Kurihara