Now a Small Car from Mitsubishi India? (Eco-Car)

[350Z]

Mitsubishi Motors is considering to launch a small car model for the Indian market. The company currently has models like Outlander and Lancer in its Indian product portfolio. “Although India is an emerging market for Mitsubishi, it is too premature to comment on our future product plans, including the small car. Having said that, all our expansion plans are on track and we will take a call on our small car plans at a later point of time,” said Pritam Saikia, head-Marketing, HM-Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi is developing its eco-car model for launch in 2012 which will be developed in Thailand. Mitsubishi has stated that it is being considered to sell this car in India. "We can no longer afford to ignore the Indian market.

We cannot have a foot-hold in India if we do not have a presence in the small car segment. So, this is not just going to be a logical extension for us but a very crucial one, too. We are exploring ways to tune the 'eco car' we are building in Thailand for India," said the source. Mitsubishi is planning to increase its manufacturing capacity to 100,000 units per annum from 12,000 units presently. Rumours further have it that the company intends to have a world car from India that will be served in other emerging markets across the globe. (Courtesy: Cartradeindia)

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[Umang]

this is i-miev new small car of mitsubishi and copy of nano..

 

[vitun]

Mitsubishi to launch Small Car in India soon

One of the largest Japanese manufacturers, Mitsubishi is mulling over to launch small car in the Indian market very soon. Mainly, the name of Mitsubishi is connected with sporty cars Cedia, Outlander, Pajero and Lance Evo X but nowadays, they are showing interest in launching small cars.
Mitsubishi’s small car being developed in Thailand, part of the Thai eco car project will hit the Indian shores in next 2-3 years. The engine of the car may be redesign by the Japanese car maker in order to bring the car to Indian roads. The car will give challenge to Hyundai i20, Fiat Grande Punto, Maruti Ritz, Volkswagen Polo, Maruti Swift and Nissan Micra. These all cars are belonging to the B+ segment which is growing at the most rapid rate as compared to the other segments.

As per the reports, Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporations have together invested for the upcoming Bht 8 billion-eco-car investment project. The production of the car is expected to start by September 2011. Mitsubishi is supposed to launch its first eco-car in the market in March 2012. Both the BoI from Thailand and Mitsubishi Motors have agreed to go by the project as scheduled. An official at Mitsubishi Motors said, “This is the first meeting between the BoI and the executives of Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) and Mitsubishi Motors Corporations to confirm Mitsubishi’s eco-car investment project in Thailand. It is also a great opportunity for both BoI and Mitsubishi to discuss about the investment project in details”.

Currently, the Company has models like Outlander and Lancer in its Indian product portfolio. By commenting to the car, the head-Marketing, HM-Mitsubishi, Pritam Saikia, said, “Although India is an emerging market for Mitsubishi, it is too premature to comment on our future product plans, including the small car. Having said that, all our expansion plans are on track and we will take a call on our small car plans at a later point of time”. In the year 1998, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation stepped into the Indian market by making Hindustan Motors as its partner. The Mitsubishi Lancer was the first car launched by this JV in the country and received a great success. The next car was Mitsubishi Outlander, which didn’t work as per the company’s expectation. Mitsubishi’s Pajero is one of the most trusted SUV in India. Now, they are raising their hope once again with their small car in India.

One of the company officials said, “We can no longer afford to ignore the Indian market. We cannot have a foot-hold in India if we do not have a presence in the small car segment. So, this is not just going to be a logical extension for us but a very crucial one, too. We are exploring ways to tune the ‘eco car’ we are building in Thailand for India,” The market is becoming more and more competitive and we cannot wait for more hatchbacks entering the market. Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motors dominates Mitsubishi which is one of the several international automotive companies to be adversely impacted by the global downturn, is not so keen to enter the high volume, small car segment (Rs 2.8-3.9 lakh). A new car from scratch is being built by Mitsubishi. From 2012, this car would see mass production to the tune of 200,000 units per year. About 70 per cent of the plant’s output will be for markets outside Thailand. Mitsubishi is planning to increase its manufacturing capacity to 100,000 units per annum from 12,000 units presently. It initially had plans to have a ‘world car’ from India, serving other emerging markets worldwide.


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[350Z]

Threads Merged.

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[cooldhaya]

Looking very much similar to the Nano indeed!

 

[Akash]

If i am not wrong the small car i-miev has been there in jap markets for since last year (atleast), since i have the yearly issue of a Japanese Auto Magzine in which the pricing specs of this car was there.

 

[AMG]

I remember seeing a test of this car of Discovery Turbo's Fifth Gear.

It looks like a pretty decent product.

They did a shootout between this and a Smart for two on top of a smart for two(double decker)

And not surprisingly, the mitsu won(pretty narrowly)

 

[350Z]

Re: Now, Small Car from Mitsubishi India? (Eco-Car)

Below is the first teaser image of Mitsubishi's small car, and some highlights:

• 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.

• 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:

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

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[cooldhaya]

Re: Now, Small Car from Mitsubishi India? (Eco-Car)

Design is looking good! Looks like Mitsubishi is also trying the Nissan and Toyota way entering into the volume segment! But still its more than a year away still!


Wish they price it right atleast this time and expand their dealership before that!

 

[ilango[speed thirst]]

Re: Now, Small Car from Mitsubishi India? (Eco-Car)

Looks good , not too much curvy lines
i have become a Mitsubishi fan after owning up a lancer! yeah one up one , not only the lancer any Mitsubishi. the driving seat is heaven!

 

[350Z]

Re: Now, Small Car from Mitsubishi India? (Eco-Car)

To be true, I find the design of Mitsubishi’s small car a lot better than Honda Brio. It appears that Mitsubishi is readying itself to target the Figo segment and they can easily achieve some amount of success if the design is kept proportionate (Like concept) along with strong marketing and expansion of after sales network, which is currently next to none.

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350Z

 

[Umang]

Re: Now, Small Car from Mitsubishi India? (Eco-Car)

hmm..not bad! this design is rocking and led lights will be great (i know its concept but you never know). with Rs.4-5 lakhs pricing mitsubishi small car can be hit like figo because its also looks long and tall boy..

 

[350Z]

Re: Now, Small Car from Mitsubishi India? (Eco-Car)

As per Autocar India, Mitsubishi is seriously considering to bring Mirage Ecocar in India with 1.2 liter engine that can deliver upto 20 Kmpl. Here's an excerpt:

According to Masahiko Ueki, executive officer and corporate general manager (Asia and Asean) Mitsubishi, is exploring a second manufacturing site in India, but will decide only after Malaysia and Indonesia are considered. Mitsubishi has yet to decide whether it will launch it in India on its own or jointly with its Indian partner Hindustan Motors.

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