Mitsubishi News: Mitsubishi On the Rebound In the U.S., Considers Bringing Over Some New Products

[William Maley]

After seven years of not really introducing new products and posting losses and declining sales, Mitsubishi is making a comeback in the U.S. The automaker expects to make a to make an operating profit of $27 million, and boosted sales projections to 116,000 vehicles for the fiscal year that ends next March.

"One of the important efforts inside the company has been turning North America from red ink to black. Finally we can realize that," said Mitsubishi Motors CEO Osamu Masuko.

Makuko credits the Outlander Sport and Mirage for getting Mitsubishi back in the black. Through October, Mitsubishi has seen sales climb to 64,564 vehicles, up 30 percent.

With all of this good news, Mitsubishi wants to capitalize on it. The company plans on introducing some new models into the U.S. including a sedan version of the Mirage and the Outlander PHEV. Masuko also said that the company is considering bringing back the Montero (sold as the Pajero elsewhere) to the U.S.

"We are putting our emphasis on SUVs in the United States. So we have to think about introducing the next-generation Pajero to the United States. There's going to be a PHEV version. And we would like to introduce it," said Masuko.

What about the big sedan that will fill in the hole left by Galant? Mitsubishi and Renault have been in talks this month about this very thing.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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[ocnblu]

I actually like the latest tweaks on the Outlander Sport... TOO BAD it's saddled with a CVT.

[Drew Dowdell]

Not all CVTs are bad.  Though I haven't driven the OS to know if that one is or not.

[William Maley]

Not all CVTs are bad.  Though I haven't driven the OS to know if that one is or not.

 

The CVT in the Outlander Sport isn't bad.. The 2.0L four-cylinder is horrid though as it makes the Sport feel like a slug. I think a larger 2.4 is coming in 2015.. Need to double check that though.

[daves87rs]

Seen more Outbacks lately....which could be a good thing.....

[Drew Dowdell]

Seen more Outbacks lately....which could be a good thing.....

Take it to the Subaru thread. ;-)

[regfootball]

I've test driven the outlander sport several times including the 2015. The 2015 + cvt gets it right. Aside from that it is the perfect small crossover for a lot of folks. Don't get the stick get the CVT. Word is the 2.4 will be added as an option mid season. A relative was over for tgiving. They own a lancer and just got a new 14 outlander sport. They love it. For me the biggest flaw on the OS is the seat backs in the rear row don't recline.

[regfootball]

The mpg is very good for an AWD vehicle too.

[Drew Dowdell]

I've test driven the outlander sport several times including the 2015. The 2015 + cvt gets it right. Aside from that it is the perfect small crossover for a lot of folks. Don't get the stick get the CVT. Word is the 2.4 will be added as an option mid season. A relative was over for tgiving. They own a lancer and just got a new 14 outlander sport. They love it. For me the biggest flaw on the OS is the seat backs in the rear row don't recline.

that's a relatively minor issue I think... how far can you really recline any of the seats in this class?

[regfootball]

It's a comfort issue for adults

[David]

A auto company that would not affect me in one way if it became a history note in the auto books.