Japanese Automakers May Slash China Production in Half as Sales Plunge Amid Islands Row

Tumbling sales can be attributed to many factors. Japanese carmakers, though, just can’t seem to get a break as since last year, they have seen their production hurt by an earthquake and a tsunami, a nuclear reactor malfunction and now, a political crisis.

As we have already reported, the dispute between the two countries over the ownership of a group of East China Sea islands has resulted in escalating protests, boycotts and even violence against anything Japanese, from restaurants to automobiles in China.

Following these events, Toyota and Nissan announced that last month they recorded their biggest sales drop in China since 2008. In September, Toyota, Nissan and Honda sales fell by 49, 35 and 41 percent respectively, to 44,100, 76,066 and 33,931 units.

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Mitsubishi Showcases Production Version of New Outlander Plug-in Hybrid in Paris

Nearly a year after Mitsubishi unveiled the concept car in Japan, the production version of the new Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV (PHEV) has been unwrapped at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

The PHEV will first go on sale in Japan early next year, followed shortly after by Europe, North America, and other regions around the world.

Mitsubishi says the new generation of the Outlander was developed from the beginning to be offered with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

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Mitsubishi's Mirage of how to Increase its Sales Share in Europe

That Mitsubishi is having a hard time getting its act together in major markets outside of Japan including Europe and North America, is no secret.

At the Paris Motor Show, the Japanese automaker is showing its…new weapon to reverse slumping sales and gain a more solid foothold in the popular supermini segment with the brand-new Mirage.

Mitsubishi says the slogan it came up for the car is "Less is more", and by that, it means the Mirage is smaller (3,710 mm long) but at the same time, lighter (from 845 kg or 1,863 lbs), more fuel efficient (4.0 lt/100km or 70.6 mpg UK) and lower priced (not yet announced) than its rivals, which in theory, include the VW Polo and Fiat Punto.

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The Manchurian Candidate: Anti-Japan Protests Good News for German Automaker in China

One man’s loss is another man’s gain. That’s the way it has always been and that’s the way it is today, especially in the corporate world.

Case in point: China’s anti-Japan protests, which seem to turn uglier each passing day. Toyota, Nissan and Honda have been forced to shut down their plants after attacks on some of their operations and dealerships.

Nevertheless, Chinese consumers still buy cars. If they shy away from Japanese vehicles, then they will probably turn to other brands from nations with which they have no quarrel.

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Mitsubishi i-MiEV Evolution

Mitsubishi released details for the i-MiEV Evolution, ahead of its racing debut at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

First, the Mitsubishi i-MiEV Evolution utilizes the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the production i. Moreover, it was developed in order to showcase Mitsubishi’s advanced EV control and EV component technologies.

The i-MiEV Evolution is a purpose-built closed-cockpit all-wheel-drive single-seater built on a tube-frame chassis with a carbon-fiber cowl. Mitsubishi said the prototype racer will use many of the same EV drive components as the production i-MiEV, which is sold in the U.S. as the Mitsubishi i.

The i-MiEV evolution uses three electric motors: one for the front two wheels, and two for each rear wheel. Pair this all-wheel drive with the car’s light-weight aerodynamic body and you can see how serious Mitsubishi is taking this event.

The three motors produce 240 kW (322 horsepower) directly to the 245/40R18 tires. The standard i-MiEV rides on super skinny 145/65R15 tires up front and 175/60R15 out back and only produces 49 kW (66 hp).



Press Release


MITSUBISHI MOTORS' 2012 PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB TEAM & ALL-NEW ALL-ELECTRIC RACECAR ANNOUNCE i-MiEV EVOLUTION TO TACKLE PIKE SPEAK


Tokyo, May 18, 2012 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will enter two all-electric vehicles (EVs) in the Electric Class of the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb1. MMC will be aiming for victory in the Electric Class with the i-MiEV Evolution, a specially-prepared competition version based on the i all-electric vehicle2. MMC is also entering a regular production i in the event.


Enter the i-MiEV Evolution The i-MiEV Evolution uses the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the production i and has been developed in cooperation with several partner companies including Meidensha Corporation and GS Yuasa Corporation. The i-MiEV Evolution has been developed to showcase MMC's advanced EV control and EV component technologies. MMC will use the technical knowhow garnered through the i-MiEVEvolution's development and usage for the development of future EV models with superior durability and reliability.


All-pro Team Driving the i-MiEV Evolution in the Pikes Peak event and also serving as team manager will be Mr. Hiroshi Masuoka - the first Japanese driver to post consecutive overall victories in the Dakar Rally. The Mitsubishi i will be piloted by Ms. Beccy Gordon, a winner in the Score International Off-Road Racing Series.


1. Mitsubishi Motors 2012 Pikes Peak Challenge Team


Team Manager Hiroshi Masuoka Drivers Hiroshi Masuoka Beccy Gordon Competition Cars i-MiEV Evolution Mitsubishi i (i-MiEV in other countries) Racing class Electric Class


2. Outline Description of Cars Entered for Pikes Peak


(1) i-MiEV Evolution Developed for the Pikes Peak event, the i-MiEV Evolution basically uses the same motor, drive battery and other major components as the production i-MiEV fitted to a specially-designed racing-specific body which uses a tube-frame chassis and a carbon fibre cowl among other features designed to reduce weight and improve aerodynamic performance. Comprising a single motor driving the front and two motors driving the rear wheels, the car's four-wheel-drive system provides superior motive performance and handling.


L x W x H (mm) 4341 x 1900 x 1339 Occupants 1 Drivetrain 4-wheel drive Motors Number 3 (1 front, 2 rear) Max. output (kW) 240 (80 kW x 3) Drive battery Rated capacity (kWh) 35 Chassis Specially-designed tube frame Cowl Carbon fibre Tyres 245/40R18 (2) Mitsubishi i


For the Pikes Peak event the production Mitsubishi i has been modified using a more aerodynamic front bumper and fitted with roll bars and other safety equipment.


The Mitsubishi i went on sale on the west coast of the United States (in the states of California, Washington and Oregon) and in Hawaii in November 2011 with plans to expand sales to the whole of the country by June 2012. The i also went on sale in Canada as the i-MiEV in December 2011, marking its full-scale launch targeting corporate and individual customers in the North American market.


L x W x H (mm) 3675 (+280) x 1585 (+110) x 1615 (+5) Occupants 4 Drivetrain Rear wheel drive Motors Number 1 Max. output (kW/rpm) 49 (+2) / 3,000 - 6,000 Drive battery Rated capacity (kWh) 16 Tyres F: 145/65/R15 R: 175/60 (+5)/R15 3. Driver Profiles


(1) Hiroshi Masuoka (Product Strategy Office, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation)


Hiroshi Masuoka began his Dakar Rally campaign in 1987 and became the first Japanese driver to post consecutive overall victories in the event when he won in 2002 and 2003. Currently Masuoka works at Mitsubishi Motors where his many duties include vehicle development, the training of company test drivers and the running of test drive sessions and other events both in Japan and overseas. Masuoka had the following to say before the event: "Given the tough driving conditions that Pikes Peak is known for, I'm really keen to show people the world over those electric vehicles are capable of gutsy motive performance and excellent handling in addition to their superior environmental performance."


(2) Beccy Gordon


Beccy Gordon is an American off-road racer. She grew up in a family in which her father, brother and sister have all been successful racing drivers, as is her husband today. Gordon herself is an experienced driver having raced in a wide spectrum of motor sports and she is also a motorsport spokesperson. Gordon commented before the event: "I'm really happy to be able to drive the Mitsubishi i in the Pikes Peak race and am looking forward to giving it my best in an electric car, the type of vehicle that is set to become a major player in motor sports in future."


4. Partner Companies (20 in all, listed in alphabetical order)


Advics Co., Ltd. Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd. Dunlop Goodyear Tires Ltd. Endless Advance Co., Ltd. Enkei Corporation GKN Driveline Japan Ltd. GS Yuasa Corporation Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd. HKS Co., Ltd. Meidensha Corporation Mikuni Corp. Mitsubishi Corporation Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Mitsubishi Motor Dealers Association NHK Spring Co., Ltd. NipponYusen Kabushiki Kaisha NTN Corporation Showa Corporation Toray Industries, Inc. Tsuchiya Co., Ltd.

Mitsubishi teases Concept Global Small ahead of Geneva debut

It all started with a teaser sketch in early December '10, but today, Mitsubishi released the first real life photo of its Concept Global Small vehicle. The design study previews an upcoming subcompact model that is planned for production in March of 2012 at the Japanese firm's new third factory in Thailand, which will have an initial capacity for around 150,000 units per year.

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Press Release

Mitsubishi Motors Lineup at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show

Tokyo, January 18, 2011 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will give the global premiere of the MITSUBISHI Concept Global Small (show model), a concept car based on the features of "compact", "affordability", and "high fuel efficiency" at the 81st Geneva International Motor Show which runs from March 1 through March 13 at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex (opening to the general public on March 3). MMC will display a total of 12 vehicles (6 during public days), including vehicles already on sale in Europe, in addition to the 100% electric i-MiEV, of which about 2,500 units have already been shipped to Europe within three months since its start of production and shipment in October 2010.

The MITSUBISHI Concept Global Small is the concept model of the compact passenger vehicle that is planned for production in March of 2012 at the MMC's new third factory in Thailand.

The features of the MITSUBISHI Concept Global Small include good maneuverability and easy operation, an inherent of a compact car, accomplished in to a highly efficient package that can comfortably seat five adults. In addition, the MITSUBISHI Concept Global Small achieves top-of-class fuel efficiency, with CO2 emissions in the mid-90g/km range due to:

• Usage of an idling stop mechanism
• A 1.0 - 1.2L class compact engine equipped with a regenerative braking system
• Weight trimming to the most complex parts
• Reduced running resistance in the engine, new-generation CVT, brakes, and tires
• A body shape that greatly reduces aerodynamic resistance.