Mitsui to Blitz USA
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 91
From: NY
Mitsui to Blitz USA
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=05665363
interesting info...
a) Mitsui expecting to sell 6000 Evo's...
b) Lancer Wagon?....i wonder how this will look like...
MITSUBISHI IS BULLISH ON, WELL, Mitsubishi.
The Japanese automaker isn’t alone mind you; we’ve heard nearly every automaker in recent months state faith in themselves, claiming that by mid- or late-decade, U.S. market share will substantially increase. Mitsubishi’s latest assertion, that it will reach North American sales of nearly 600,000 by 2007, comes from Pierre Gagnon, Mitsubishi’s affable head of U.S. operations. If Gagnon’s number holds, Mitsu will have bumped sales 70 percent from today’s numbers, thanks in part to new sales efforts in Mexico and Canada.
Mitsubishi will anchor its U.S. surge in a groundswell of fresh product. It begins in February when the 265-hp Lancer Evolution hits the streets to combat rally-sired competitors like the Subaru WRX and STi. Gagnon expects to sell 6000 Evolutions next year, although he admits the target may be low due to the emerging popularity of rally in the States.
Even without the Evo model, Lancer’s welcome in the United States has inspired Mitsubishi to swap introduction dates for the freshened Lancer, originally slated to launch in Japan and then come here. Instead, a higher horsepower Lancer with ample exterior changes—and a Sportback wagon model—will come here next fall, followed by the Japanese intro. Gagnon says the decision means Mitsubishi is finally shifting its focus from Japan to North America.
After the redone Lancer debuts, Endeavor—an all-new midsize sport/ute—arrives as the fourth SUV in Mitsubishi’s lineup, joining Outlander, Montero Sport and Montero. The Endeavor is the first of Mitsubishi’s “Project America” products developed and produced entirely in the United States. The unibody Endeavor will resemble the Outlander more than it does the Montero and will be the first vehicle built on a front-drive platform, eventually to be shared by Galant, Eclipse and Chrysler Sebring and Stratus. A V6 standard mill and optional all-wheel drive will carry Endeavor into competition with car-based crossover SUVs, such as Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. Mitsu is shooting to unload 55,000 Endeavors year ith sales starting about a month after a production-ready version hits the stage at the Detroit show in January.
Mitsubishi’s Accord/Camry-fighter Galant was new back in 1999 and looks long in the tooth compared to fresh versions of Camry, Accord and Nissan Altima. Gagnon hints that Mitsubishi won’t fully compete with such cars until the all-new Galant hits streets next September as the second “Project America” vehicle. As evidence the next Galant is considered urgent, Mitsubishi is pushing its introduction up from winter 2004 to September of 2003
The Japanese automaker isn’t alone mind you; we’ve heard nearly every automaker in recent months state faith in themselves, claiming that by mid- or late-decade, U.S. market share will substantially increase. Mitsubishi’s latest assertion, that it will reach North American sales of nearly 600,000 by 2007, comes from Pierre Gagnon, Mitsubishi’s affable head of U.S. operations. If Gagnon’s number holds, Mitsu will have bumped sales 70 percent from today’s numbers, thanks in part to new sales efforts in Mexico and Canada.
Mitsubishi will anchor its U.S. surge in a groundswell of fresh product. It begins in February when the 265-hp Lancer Evolution hits the streets to combat rally-sired competitors like the Subaru WRX and STi. Gagnon expects to sell 6000 Evolutions next year, although he admits the target may be low due to the emerging popularity of rally in the States.
Even without the Evo model, Lancer’s welcome in the United States has inspired Mitsubishi to swap introduction dates for the freshened Lancer, originally slated to launch in Japan and then come here. Instead, a higher horsepower Lancer with ample exterior changes—and a Sportback wagon model—will come here next fall, followed by the Japanese intro. Gagnon says the decision means Mitsubishi is finally shifting its focus from Japan to North America.
After the redone Lancer debuts, Endeavor—an all-new midsize sport/ute—arrives as the fourth SUV in Mitsubishi’s lineup, joining Outlander, Montero Sport and Montero. The Endeavor is the first of Mitsubishi’s “Project America” products developed and produced entirely in the United States. The unibody Endeavor will resemble the Outlander more than it does the Montero and will be the first vehicle built on a front-drive platform, eventually to be shared by Galant, Eclipse and Chrysler Sebring and Stratus. A V6 standard mill and optional all-wheel drive will carry Endeavor into competition with car-based crossover SUVs, such as Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. Mitsu is shooting to unload 55,000 Endeavors year ith sales starting about a month after a production-ready version hits the stage at the Detroit show in January.
Mitsubishi’s Accord/Camry-fighter Galant was new back in 1999 and looks long in the tooth compared to fresh versions of Camry, Accord and Nissan Altima. Gagnon hints that Mitsubishi won’t fully compete with such cars until the all-new Galant hits streets next September as the second “Project America” vehicle. As evidence the next Galant is considered urgent, Mitsubishi is pushing its introduction up from winter 2004 to September of 2003
interesting info...
a) Mitsui expecting to sell 6000 Evo's...
b) Lancer Wagon?....i wonder how this will look like...
Guest
Posts: n/a
Instead, a higher horsepower Lancer with ample exterior changes—and a Sportback wagon model—will come here next fall, followed by the Japanese intro. Gagnon says the decision means Mitsubishi is finally shifting its focus from Japan to North America.
