Mitsubishi will try a different approach in the United States, where it intends to launch a new product lineup that will replace the existing models assembled in the country. Citing a source familiar with the matter, Automotive News informs that the new models will be launched in the next two years, but it's still unknown when the company will begin manufacturing the new family of vehicles.
Still, the upcoming cars will be based on the existing ones, so expect the new models to borrow several features from the Outlander and Outlander Sport crossovers, as well as from the Lancer sedan, all built in Japan. All models currently manufactured by the Normal, Illinois facility, namely Galant, Endeavor, Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder, will be discontinued at the end of the 2013 fiscal year, the source added citing a report issued by the Nikkei paper.
Mitsubishi's US operations showed signs of recovery in 2010, so the company announced back in November that it intends to expand its dealership network in the country by opening new stores in several states. A total of 26 dealers were supposed to open across the US: California (seven stores), Texas (three dealerships) and the others spread through Eastern and Western states.
"Our overall strategy is to re-enter markets with sales opportunity and potential for growth, as well as key areas with previously existing dealer representation that could benefit from a profitable service option,” Mitsubishi spokesman Maurice Durand said at that time.
Still, the upcoming cars will be based on the existing ones, so expect the new models to borrow several features from the Outlander and Outlander Sport crossovers, as well as from the Lancer sedan, all built in Japan. All models currently manufactured by the Normal, Illinois facility, namely Galant, Endeavor, Eclipse and Eclipse Spyder, will be discontinued at the end of the 2013 fiscal year, the source added citing a report issued by the Nikkei paper.
Mitsubishi's US operations showed signs of recovery in 2010, so the company announced back in November that it intends to expand its dealership network in the country by opening new stores in several states. A total of 26 dealers were supposed to open across the US: California (seven stores), Texas (three dealerships) and the others spread through Eastern and Western states.
"Our overall strategy is to re-enter markets with sales opportunity and potential for growth, as well as key areas with previously existing dealer representation that could benefit from a profitable service option,” Mitsubishi spokesman Maurice Durand said at that time.