Autoblog

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport production gets underway in Normal, IL

George Kennedy — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 08:45:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Mitsubishi

"Made in America." It's a term we can apply to an increasing number of models from import brands each year. From family sedans to pickup trucks, overseas automakers are increasingly building vehicles in North America; and not just for our market, but for other parts of the world.

To that end, Mitsubishi has announced that it has begun production of the Outlander Sport compact crossover at its Normal, Illinois plant. The facility will start producing 50,000 units a year, and that number can potentially climb to 70,000 units. Highlighting the global significance of this move, Mitsubishi says that half the Outlander Sport models produced at the Normal, Ill facility with be exported to other markets.

As we are already deep into the 2012 model year, the vehicle being produced is a 2013 model-year machine. The '13 model will feature updates that include a new front fascia with a new bumper and grille, as well as a new two-tone rear bumper and 18-inch wheels on all trims. The updated CUV also gets a revised rear suspension and recalibrated CVT, while the interior is outfitted with new accents and fabric.

The 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is set to go on sale in early August with a base MSRP of $19,170. Check out the official press release below.

Continue reading Mitsubishi Outlander Sport production gets underway in Normal, IL

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport production gets underway in Normal, IL originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jul 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi to double production at Illinois plant

Dan Roth — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:43:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Mitsubishi, Russia

According to reports citing Japan's Nikkei daily, Mitsubishi Motors North America will be cranking up production at its Normal, Illinois plant, but not because the company expects a 100-percent increase in demand here to match the 70,000 units the plant will soon be cranking out. Instead, the plant will be making Outlander Sport models intended for export from the U.S. to markets like Russia and Latin America. To make way for the increased Outlander Sport output, the slow-moving Galant family sedan will leave the building. No replacement has been announced.

Mitsubishi has plants worldwide, but those in closest proximity to strengthening markets are reportedly running at full tilt, so the move makes use of plants in markets where demand is slack. Mitsubishi has seen its fortunes in the U.S. atrophy, and even though sales improved somewhat last year, this production shift shows that turnabout is fair play, with the offshore parent using its American assets to make cars for markets that would typically be producing the goods, not consuming them.

Mitsubishi to double production at Illinois plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi to kill off Eclipse, Endeavor in August, Galant to live on

Chris Shunk — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Eclipse - Click above for high-res image gallery

We first heard back in January that Mitsubishi was planning to kill off the Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant by 2013. Now, however, AutoWeek is reporting that the euthanization timeline is a lot closer to summer, with only the Galant receiving a reprieve.

Mitsubishi North America CEO Yoichi Yokozawa has reportedly confirmed that the automaker will stop production on the Eclipse and Endeavor in August, but added that a determination on the Galant won't happen until later. The vehicles are currently being built in Mitsubishi's Illinois assembly plant, but the automaker is looking to make room for the Outlander Sport. Mitsubishi plans to make 50,000 copies per year of the crossover utility vehicle, with half the vehicles tabbed for export.

If you're looking to get your hands on one of the last Endeavor models, you'd better hurry, since Mitsubishi only has a 23-day supply of the outdated model. The Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder will probably take a while to peter out, though, as the automaker currently has a 180-day supply of the coupe and convertible. Either way, for tens of thousands of devotees, it's an ignominious end for a once-proud performance model.

Gallery: 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse

Gallery: 2011 Mitsubishi Endeavor

[Source: AutoWeek]

Mitsubishi to kill off Eclipse, Endeavor in August, Galant to live on originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi moving Outlander Sport production from Japan to Normal, IL

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Mitsubishi

2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery

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

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

At present, the plant in Normal assembles the Galant, Endeavor and Eclipse, but these vehicles are scheduled to be phased out by 2013. About 1,000 of the automaker's 1,300 employees in North America are members of the United Auto Workers Union.

If you're interested in reading all the details straight from the source, you know where to look.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Photos copyright (C)2011 Damon Lavrinc / AOL

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading Mitsubishi moving Outlander Sport production from Japan to Normal, IL

Mitsubishi moving Outlander Sport production from Japan to Normal, IL originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi, UAW reach Illinois plant pact - but what will they build there?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Mitsubishi, UAW/Unions

The good ol' Diamond Star Motors plant in Normal, Illinois - where such well-regarded vehicles as the original Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser were built, among others - is apparently getting a new lease on life now that Mitsubishi, the United Auto Workers and laborers at the plant have all approved of a new contract.

At this point, it's unclear what Mitsubishi plans to build in its only North American plant, and the present output of Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant are likely not long for this world. Would it be too much to ask for an Eclipse that hearkens back to the good old days of turbocharged engines and all-wheel drive? Probably, but we'll settle for a new nameplate or two that escapes the automaker's current mire of drab, dated and slow-selling sedans and coupes.

In any case, we're told to expect a detailed product plan from Mitsubishi that will lay out the steps it will take to become relevant in the United States once again. And, incidentally, the Japanese automaker apparently has no intentions whatsoever of leaving the U.S. market... which means whatever it's cooking up at the moment had better be rather impressive.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Mitsubishi, UAW reach Illinois plant pact - but what will they build there? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi set to idle Illinois plant for seven weeks

Michael Harley — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Mitsubishi

Slumping sales have pushed Mitsubishi to schedule a production stoppage at their Normal, Illinois plant early next year for a period lasting more than 40 days. The facility, employing 1,568 workers, manufacturers both the Galant and Eclipse. When the assembly line lights go dark between February 16 and April 3, it will signify the longest halt of production since the facility began operation in 1988. The news obviously isn't good, but it thankfully doesn't carry any immediate word about layoffs. According to Mitsubishi, all employees will remain on payroll during the shutdown and be shifted to other non-production jobs, including maintenance and training.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Mitsubishi set to idle Illinois plant for seven weeks originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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