Oto Cars

Mitsubishi has confirmed gossip that it will change its production location of at least one of its models from Japan to its American manufacturing site in Normal, IL. At this time, the only vehicle the manufacturer has officially confirmed for U.S. production is the Outlander Sport.

Now, the plant in Normal assembles the Galant, Endeavor and Eclipse, but these models are scheduled to be terminated by 2013. around 1,000 of the company’s 1,300 employees in North America are members of the United Auto Workers Union.

It's worth noting that the Outlander Sport shares a platform with the slightly larger Outlander and the Lancer sedan, so it surely wouldn't be surprising if production of these models were moved Stateside as well. Mitsubishi approximates about half of the models it builds in the U.S will be exported.

Press Release

Mitsubishi Motors Announces Outlander Sport Will Be Built in Normal, Illinois Plant

Fri, Feb 04, 2011 - NORMAL, IL -

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced that production of the Outlander Sport Crossover Utility vehicle will begin in mid-2012 at the Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) plant in Normal, Illinois.

An announcement ceremony at the plant this morning was attended by dignitaries including MMNA President Shinichi Kurihara, Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn, and UAW International President Bob King. Prior to the media announcement, a separate event for all MMNA employees was held on the factory floor with the same dignitaries in attendance.

The Outlander Sport went on sale in North America in November of 2010. Outlander Sport is a very well-equipped entry-level crossover that offers desirable features such as standard Bluetooth, available 40 gigabyte hard drive navigation, and available all-wheel drive. Outside of the United States, Outlander Sport is also badged as RVR and ASX, and represents Mitsubishi Motors' latest offering to the globe's fastest growing automotive segment, entry-level crossover. The vehicle is built upon the same highly flexible vehicle platform that underpins the Lancer compact car and Outlander SUV which are sold globally. Mitsubishi Motors North America anticipates adding production of Outlander Sport by mid-2012. Kurihara added "With the new model, the plant will have better utilization, and, of course we will see improved efficiency when we eventually consolidate to one model with higher production volume. I fully expect this plant will strongly improve its performance further down the road".

President Kurihara noted that bringing production of the Outlander Sport, currently built in Japan, to the Normal plant reinforces MMC's commitment to the U.S. market. "Mitsubishi Motors remains fully committed to producing vehicles in Normal. We will build vehicles here not just for the United States, but for many nations around the world." Kurihara estimated that about half of the Outlanders produced will be exported.

Kurihara also expressed appreciation to the State of Illinois for approximately $29 million in EDGE Grant support over the next ten years. Governor Quinn expressed his pleasure at the ceremony. "Mitsubishi's decision to produce a new generation of automobile here in Illinois is a strong testament to the strength of our workforce and the state's appealing business climate," said Governor Quinn. "By working to stabilize our economy and investing in companies that are investing in Illinois, we're helping to keep thousands of jobs in Illinois, helping reinvigorate our automobile industry and continuing our economic recovery."
MMNA is the only Asian or European auto manufacturer currently partnering with the UAW. About 1,000 of MMNA's 1,300 employees are members of the UAW.

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, convertibles, sedans, and sport utility vehicles through a network of approximately 400 dealers. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.

According to reports Mitsubishi considering selling a rebadged (Assign a new name, label, logo or function to a product or employee) version of the Infiniti M sedan to fill its void of premium offerings in its Japanese auto Market . However, Automotive News notes that Mitsubishi's President, Osamu Masuko, has stated that the automaker will not leverage manufacturing deals with other companies in order to extend its lineup In USA, so don’t expect to see a Mitsubishi -branded Infiniti on our roads anytime In the near future.

Automotive News reports that the Mitsubishi-badged Infiniti could go on sale in Japan as early as this year. Expect the standard gas version to be the first to wear a triple-diamond badge, though Mitsubishi may sell a version of the M Hybrid, as well.

Mitsubishi's last endeavor into the luxury sedan market was with the Diamante (Fabric covered with glittering ornaments such as sequins or rhinestones) - a car that suffered from lackluster (Lacking brilliance or vitality) sales numbers during its run throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Due to Mitsubishi's financial woes during the mid-2000s, luxury car development was put on hold. Now, though, selling a rebadged version of the Infiniti M (or Nissan Fuga, as it's known in Japan) would insulate Mitsubishi from research and development costs, making it easier for the them to launch back into the luxury segment.

Mitsubishi unveiled i Miev Sport concept at the 2007 Tokyo auto show. i Miev Sport has a simple and fluid exterior and interior design, the layout provides optimal distribution of weight. This futuristic electric car has a sporty performance and spacious interior. This concept car has an aluminum space frame body structure to minimize it’s weight. i Miev also has three permanent magnetic synchronous motors. As environmental considerations, on the roof of i Miev sport an auxiliary photovoltaic generator was installed for energy saving.

i Miev has a sporty, spacious and dynamic interior. The interior gives the security and comfort feelings to the user. Mitsubishi also gives excellent occupant protection from collisions from any direction, even when colliding with a vehicle of different height or weight.

i Miev Sport Specifications :

Introduced at : 2007 Tokyo Auto Show

Dimensions :

length ; width ; height : 3,450 [mm] ; 1,600 [mm] ; 1,400 [mm]

Body Weight : 970 kg

Body Structure : aluminum space frame

Engine :

Motors : Permanent magnetic synchronous motors

Front : In-wheel motors

Rear : Single motor

Max. output Front : 20kW 2; Rear: 47kW

Max. torque Front : 250 Nm 2; Rear: 180 Nm

Range (10-15 Mode) : 200km

Max. Speed : 180km/h

Wheelbase : 2,550 [mm]

Track (F/R) : 1,405/1,405 [mm]

Tires : 175/40R17

Interior :