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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Mitsu to cease U.S. production

April 25, 2011 1:26 p.m. integraguy Dork

Considering how "vanilla" their cars have become, I wasn't sure if this should really be under Motorsports.

Another news source, who shall remain nameless, has an online story today about Mitsubishi's plan to stop production of the Eclipse, Eclipse Spyder, and the Endeavor in the VERY near future (supposedly, at the rate they are currently selling, dealers have MORE than enough to get them through most of 2011 on current inventory). The Galant will cease production in the U.S. (the Eclipse. Spyder and Endeavor are pretty much sold exclusively in North America) but will carry on in Japan, sometime in the next year....depending on market demand and how soon Mitsu can re-vamp the Normal, Ill. plant to begin production of Outlander Sports.
April 25, 2011 2:00 p.m. Bench Racer (BowtieBandit) Reader

The Eclapse has been on a steady decline ever since the 3G models in 2000. With the legendary status that the early DSMs created, the later Eclipse's just became another secretary car. I read a new car comparison in some new car magazine a few years ago that compared numerous FWD mid size coupes, the Accord, the Altima, Eclipse and something else. 12 years ago, they wouldn't have been even thought of in the same class as those cars.
April 25, 2011 2:03 p.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork

Mitsu killed the Eclipse a decade ago. It's only now that anybody noticed. :)
April 25, 2011 2:11 p.m. John Brown SuperDork

With the fact their dealer netork hlaved itself a few years ago and then again over the last year it is not news to me.
April 25, 2011 2:22 p.m. jrw1621 SuperDork

Does this mean no more new Mitsu Raider Pickup truck?
What will we ever do to replace these?

I gues all that pickup truck business can go over to the Suzuki Equator.
April 25, 2011 2:25 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

honestly, I can't even recall what a new Mitsu even looks like
April 25, 2011 2:33 p.m. MadScientistMatt Dork

With how few newer Mitsubishis are out on the street, I'll bet the general public thinks they've already ceased production, everywhere.
April 25, 2011 2:38 p.m. T.J. SuperDork

Wait, they sell cars here now?
April 25, 2011 3:03 p.m. Vigo Dork

The sad thing i suppose, is that Mitsu knows how to do good cars. It just doesnt.

You guys are right about Mitsu killing the Eclipse in 2000. I think most 1g and 2g owners knew it at the time. But, those same people by and large were bought off by the EVO8 in 2003.

I think the EVO8 might have had something to do with the eclipse moving away from the 4g63.

And it's sad that the 4g eclipse body is such a portly FWD turd. The 6g74 v6 motor is a monster and in almost any other kind of sporty car it would probably have gotten more of the credit it deserves.

There again, though... another case of EVO problems. The Eclipse would have been to the EVO what people say the Fiero was to the Vette in the late 80s.

All the 4g eclipse needed was AWD to move it into an entirely different league. Unfortunately, that's the league that the EVO is in, and an AWD Ralliart 3.8 Eclipse would have seriously competed on its own merits against the EVO.

Maybe that would have been better for Mitsu in the long run, but that ship has sailed.
April 25, 2011 3:07 p.m. RossD SuperDork

I thought they built TVs?
April 25, 2011 3:13 p.m. EvanB SuperDork

jrw1621 wrote:

Does this mean no more new Mitsu Raider Pickup truck?
What will we ever do to replace these?

Go to a Dodge dealer and buy a new Dakota, then put a Raider badge on the back.
April 25, 2011 3:16 p.m. EvanB SuperDork

RossD wrote:

I thought they built TVs?

You wouldn't believe how many people call me at the Mitsu dealership to buy replacement bulbs for their TVs.
April 25, 2011 3:17 p.m. mndsm SuperDork

And then the Evo isn't even an Evo anymore. Stupid EvoX- I quit paying attention to mitsu once they killed the 4g63. And started paying attention to Hyundai, who is in no small part influenced by the decades old mitsu tech in the Genesis 2.0.
April 25, 2011 3:48 p.m. plance1 Dork

But don't they make SUV's that go backward really fast when its cold out????
April 25, 2011 3:50 p.m. integraguy Dork

In other markets Mitsu has 2 or 3 different sized vans, cars smaller than the Lancer, and still offers Monteros/Shoguns in various sizes.

After reading the 1st few entries here, I came to the conclusion that Mitsubishi, not just in North America, but in Japan as well, has just about "lost it" and will be out of the car business soon. They strike me as a "one trick pony" car company that outside of the EVOs doesn't really (seem to?) compete in ANY segment well, but just looks at what the other Japanese car companies are offering, and TRYS to offer something close. Right now, I've heard that dealers are selling the Outlander Sports faster than they can get them (probably 1 reason why the Ill. plant will switch to Outland Sports production) yet, I've seen maybe 1 or 2 on the road in this area....about as many as the "regular" Outlanders. I have also seen 1 or 2 Endeavors in this area, and they seem to be decent vehicles....even if they do look like a Japanese Grand Cherokee.

BTW, when you say "...the 6g74 is a monster...." is that good or bad?
April 25, 2011 4:27 p.m. EvanB SuperDork

Yea we sell lots of Outlander Sports, a few Lancer/EVOs, and no Galants.
April 25, 2011 5:52 p.m. dimeadozen Reader

jrw1621 wrote:

Does this mean no more new Mitsu Raider Pickup truck?
What will we ever do to replace these?

I gues all that pickup truck business can go over to the Suzuki Equator.

Slightly OT-Does it speak more of my ignorance, or Suzuki's "marketing" efforts that I had to Google this truck to see what you were talking about, was surprised to learn of its existence, and shocked to learn that it's been available since the 2009 model year?
April 25, 2011 6:49 p.m. bastomatic Dork

If Mitsubishi still made these and brought them here, I know of at least one customer they'd have.

Seriously though, Mitsubishi just never seemed to have brought its A game to this market. It took a racing video game to get us the Evo for Chrissakes.
April 25, 2011 6:54 p.m. huge-O-chavez SuperDork

Mitsu makes some awesome E36 M3 in Aussie land.

Truly great stuff a good alternative to Yota's.
April 26, 2011 7:51 a.m. digdug18 Dork

c'mon, there are alot fo cars down under I'd like to buy.
April 26, 2011 8:15 a.m. mndsm SuperDork

huge-O-chavez wrote:

Mitsu makes some awesome E36 M3 in Aussie land.

Truly great stuff a good alternative to Yota's.

Everyone makes better cars in Vegemite land.
April 26, 2011 9:27 a.m. z31maniac SuperDork

integraguy wrote: BTW, when you say "...the 6g74 is a monster...." is that good or bad?

Judging the rest of the sentence, I'm assuming it's a good.

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