Mitsubishi thinks that they've just cleared the deepest part of the sales valley. In 2007, the automaker responsible for the Eclipse, 3000GT and the EVO sold 127,993 vehicles -- the last time they went over 100,000. In 2010 they sold a disasterous 55,683, a number that's already been eclipsed for 2011. "We are quickly recovering from the bottom years of 2009 and 2010. We want to be getting back as quickly as possible to 100,000 units in a few years." said Yoichi Yakozawa, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America.
And helping them get there will be the new Mitsubishi Lancer SE. The Lancer SE will be the least-expensive model in Mitsubishi's lineup with all wheel drive. Though at $20,000, it will be more expensive than the Subaru Impreza and the Suzuki SX4 and on par with a base Legacy.
It's a solid move as AWD is getting more and more popular in the U.S. with analysts estimating that 30% of all cars sold in the U.S. will be AWD by 2013, but is it too late for this Lancer?
greenpony says:
01:29 PM, 08/10/11
Well, it certainly rounds out their competition with Subaru, but if I was looking for a brand-new affordable AWD vehicle, the Impreza would be my only choice.
ed124c says:
02:08 PM, 08/10/11
My sentiments also.
agnh says:
02:17 PM, 08/10/11
What engine? I assume NA.
naimmecheng says:
02:30 PM, 08/10/11
I think the Lancer is a much better looking car. It would be my pick for sure. The power train will be more reliable and cost much less to fix. Subaru Impreza is very expensive and difficult to fix in comparison to the Lancer. The interior is also much nicer than the Impreza.
stovt001 says:
03:30 PM, 08/10/11
This is an interesting sign of life from Mitsubishi. Is it reading too much into this to wonder if maybe the plan to go pure EV for their lineup isn't so bulletproof?
06scooby says:
04:48 PM, 08/10/11
@naimmecheng, the impreza is not an expensive car to fix. Its maintenance is actually very easy to do your self for the most part and name another car that you can easily change its timing belt with the engine in the car still... The only expensive part is the more moving parts due to the AWD system, which now the lancer would have so no advantage there... plus the lancer will still have a transverse layout which is harder to work on then the scooby layout.
If it comes with their awful CVT... no way! I'm assuming its going to be 2.0 or 2.4 NA with CVT only... kudo's if it comes with at 6 speed manual option.... with the 2.4... maybe it would be worthy.
litewerk says:
11:14 PM, 08/10/11
I'd like to think that we'll be offered a choice of a 6-speed manual. And, I do like the looks of the current Lancer. Oh, and I'm glad to see that Mitsubishi is rebounding.
bodyblue says:
07:57 AM, 08/11/11
Rebounding? If you look at % of increase it looks a lot more impressive than it really is. They are still barely a blip on the sales radar. There seems to be a new bottom end to the market full of also-rans in the sales race....Mazda, Suzuki, Mitsu....they do ok one year then fall like crazy...then show increases one quarter then slip again so when they come up, they show big %s and then people say "look at how well they did". With our economy slipping into double dip territory, I would not be too sure about some of these brands.
greenpony says:
11:14 AM, 08/11/11
"The interior is also much nicer than the Impreza."
Sorry, but I have to disagree with this comment.