Mitsubishi focuses development on 'green' cars, plug-in hybrid coming in 2013
Click above for a hi-res gallery of i MiEV Sport Air renderings
When the average enthusiast thinks of Mitsubishi, the first thing that jumps to mind is likely the Evolution, but the Japanese automaker's bread is buttered by the sales of large SUVs. This means that profits are pretty tough to come by these days as anything that guzzles gas has rapidly seen itself falling out of favor. In light of this fact, Mitsubishi now says that it has halted development of everything that isn't eco-friendly. SUVs and large cars are out; electric cars, plug-in hybrids and small cars are in. What does this mean for future developments for the Evo platform? We don't know, but it doesn't sound promising.
According to CEO Osamu Masuko, the automaker can't abandon its SUV roots entirely, so the future strategy will be two-fold: continue to offer larger cars like the Lancer and Galant and four-wheel drive SUVs in hybrid form, while focusing on fully electric machines on the smaller end. The first fruits of Mitsubishi's new green plans may be production versions of the i MiEV electric car, but plug-in hybrid versions of its larger cars and SUVs are likely by 2013.
Gallery: Mitsubishi i MIEV Sport Air
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kumail 6:18PM (2/02/2009)
I think that looks a bit more happy than the Mazda 3, reminds me of a kid on a roller coaster...
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P.V. 6:32PM (2/02/2009)
It's good to see Mitsubishi getting serious about fuel-efficient vehicles.
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KC 6:39PM (2/02/2009)
So we have to wait until 2013 for a new Galant?
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cameron42985 7:35PM (2/02/2009)
I'm so sick of this car already. Looks about as comfortable as the back of a Mustang. It's a SKETCH people. Concepts mean very little, but artist renditions mean NOTHING.
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GOT 3:49AM (2/03/2009)
Agreed. But it's a great looking sketch! :D
kevin 7:35PM (2/02/2009)
Mitsubishi focuses development on shock-value designs that will never be seen on the market.
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Judy Zik 9:46PM (2/02/2009)
Interesting. Does this mean we are soon going to see some of Mitsu's really cool small vehicles. This could be an interesting shift. The Gallant isn't that competitive anymore and the Eclipse is just a shadow of it's former self but I can't see them giving up the larger vehicles with the large margins. It is nice of them to say they are going green but they are a bit late to the party to be credible.
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