Mitsubishi to return to WRC!?

[Trogdor]

I just wrapped up in training at work. The topic was focused on the future line up for Mitsu, and changes to existing models.

One of the things that was brought up was "How do we address rumors Mitsubishi is leaving the US market?" A letter from the new chairman of MMNA was shared with us. In the letter to upper level Mitsu execs, it notes that the focus of future cars will be very consumer driven, including the return to sponsorship of a rally team.

[Tachyon]

I'll believe it when I see it, I guess.

I suspect if they did re-enter it would be utilizing a modified chassis like the MiEV rather then derived from the current direction of the Evolution.

[Trogdor]

The MiEV's sales have been, underwhelming at best. We were informed that there will likely not be a 2013 model year for the MiEV due to excess inventory. However, I can also confirm that Evo XI will be a hybrid (not sure if gas or diesel). My guess is that this will occur at the same time?

[Kracka]

Half of Don Herring Mitsu's lot is full of iMievs that have been sitting for months; Mitsu is going to have to offer some steep discounts to move these stupid things... Like cut the price in half.

[Halon]

Other than the Evo, Mitsubishi doesn't put out anything that impresses me, or stands out from the competition. The brand needs a make-over, like Ford seemed to successfully do in the past few years.

[Shane@DBPerformance]

Maybe a Rally America team if they are worried about the US market.

[BriK]

My guess is that this will occur at the same time?

Makes me think of this:

http://youtu.be/UtVjRG7PB_4

[Trogdor]

Other than the Evo, Mitsubishi doesn't put out anything that impresses me, or stands out from the competition. The brand needs a make-over, like Ford seemed to successfully do in the past few years.

Agreed, and as did MMNA. That's why if you look at the Outlander Sport, its the first in the line up to start the company overhaul. It's got more standard features, at a lower prices than any other SUV in its class. The model year 2014 Outlander will be more on par with entry level luxury brands, but at a price similar to a CRV or Rav 4. They're adding all kinda of cool crap to it.

Half of Don Herring Mitsu's lot is full of iMievs that have been sitting for months; Mitsu is going to have to offer some steep discounts to move these stupid things... Like cut the price in half.
One of the things they did was partner with Ally. MMCA isn't an American financial institution, and they weren't able to take advantage of government rebates. Since Ally is, we can offer lease rates that include use of the $7500 tax credit. But yeah, even at that we've only sold 9 of them total.

A larger part of the issue is that the infrastructure doesn't exist to support EV's yet. If there were level 3 charging stations (Level 3 stations can charge an EV in about 10-15 minutes) at gas stations through the cities and people could travel more than 100 miles in one day taking a 15 minute break to charge, there would be more sales on EVs.

Too bad those chargers are like $60,000.

[Tachyon]

Maybe a Rally America team if they are worried about the US market.

While that pegged my sarcasm meter, I would like to see them offer the same contingency money for showing up in a Mitsubishi that Subaru corporate does for their brand. It's not coincidence or even brand preference that nearly all the Open class cars sound like they're running on 3 cylinders.

But even when L'estage won in 2010 with his X, not one other Evo X owner I talked to was ever aware of the man...

Rally as a business plan here in the United States is sub-optimal... Just glad to see Hyundai finally realized it and headed off for the WRC in 2014.

[Halon]

Agreed, and as did MMNA. That's why if you look at the Outlander Sport, its the first in the line up to start the company overhaul. It's got more standard features, at a lower prices than any other SUV in its class. The model year 2014 Outlander will be more on par with entry level luxury brands, but at a price similar to a CRV or Rav 4. They're adding all kinda of cool crap to it.


Cool crap is cool, but what about mpg? As you know we've been looking around at mid-size sedans (i.e. Galant) for Katy. The Galant comes in dead last when compared to just about everything it competes against (Camry, Altima, Fusion, Malibu, Sonata, Optima, Mazda6, Accord, Legacy AWD, A4, I could keep going but I won't...). The only thing it comes close to is the Dodge Avenger, which Dodge is already known for being gas guzzlers so that's a shame, and the Avenger even out does the Galant in Hwy MPG by 1.