It looks very much as though Mitsubishi Motors will be withdrawing
from the UK and European car markets, putting the relevant franchised dealers
in a very difficult position.
That puts
the imminent introduction of the new Eclipse Cross plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and
the next-generation Outlander PHEV into doubt too.
Part of the
Renault Nissan Alliance, the word within the trade is that Mitsubishi might become
the brand for America, Renault in Europe and Nissan in Asia.
This has
nothing to do with the Covid19 pandemic which is raging across the world, and
more to do with the motor industry's ongoing efforts worldwide to cut costs and
improve efficiency across their manufacturing operations.
This won't
be the last such move as all the automotive giants seek to streamline their
business and follows on from the recent merger of Fiat Chrysler with Groupe PSA (Peugeot,
Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall) which created the world's 4th largest automotive
group.
Mitsubishi hasn't been active in rallying of late, but its record
speaks for itself. With Andrew Cowan at the helm, the rally team won one Manufacturer's
World Rally Championship title in 1998, were runners-up in 1996 and scored six
3rds. They also scored four Driver's titles with Tommi Makinen.
And as for the Lancer, it has become the 4WD clubman's choice throughout
its successive 10 generations of the model.
And no more pickups!
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