No Chinese-Built Mitsubishi SUVs at This Point

Mitsubishi has no plans to start building SUVs in China, as the company is looking to benefit from the impressive growth in the country by making parts and improving import business. Mitsubishi China sales manager Fan Tian Jian Zhi said in an interview with Shanghai Securities Report that the Japanese carmaker won't start producing SUVs in the country as the company has different plans for this side of the market.

"In the global market place Mitsubishi has three markets where we dominate, the Pajero and the Outlander represent the SUV market, the Eclipse is our two door sports models and our work in the electric car segment is also well known," he said according to a report by China Car Times.

"In China we are currently engaged in three different business aspects. The first one is a joint venture with Harbin Dong-an Engine company, we are working on automatic gearboxes and other core car parts. The second is working on our import business, which is mostly expanding the Mitsubishi brand in China, and to import the latest Mitsubishi models into China. Our third business model is to build cars with Changfeng and also SouEast motors."

Mitsubishi's Chinese joint ventures will focus on building sedans and hatchbacks, Mitsubishi's representative said.

"Previously, although we have car producing JV’s with two partners we currently don’t have any plans to bring our latest SUV models in China. Our JV with Soueast is primarily focused on building sedans and hatchbacks. Our JV with Changfeng is currently under review, although Changfang currently produce SUV’s since their takeover by Guangzhou Auto we still don’t know what sort of changes will occur in this JV, it could be that they plan to produce Chrysler products in China, it is unlikely that they will produce any new SUV’s," he explained.