Mitsubishi ends new car development for the UK
Mitsubishi has frozen the development and introduction of new models for Europe, including the UK, as part of plans to cut costs.
The surprise move means that current models are unlikely to be replaced when they become non-compliant with EU emissions regulations. This means upcoming models - including the new L200 pick-up truck, Outlander and Mirage won't be sold in the UK.
A spokesperson for Mitsubishi UK said it was too early to say what the move would mean for dealers and showrooms, but it has pledged to continue to import and sell the existing range of cars and commercial vehicles.
Mitsubishi UK will continue to provide full customer support in terms of service, repair, warranty, recalls, parts and accessories. There are around 115 Mitsubishi dealers across the UK.
Earlier this month the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) revealed that Mitsubishi’s UK sales had declined by almost 52 per cent during the first half of 2020.
The Japanese manufacturer plans to reduce its spend by 20 per cent over the next two years, which includes shifting its focus to the vehicle market in South-East Asia - where it currently has a 6.4 per cent market share, compared with just one per cent in Europe.
Further details on what this means for the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance are unclear, but Mitsubishi has confirmed plans to continue with the sharing of technology and production - which cuts estimated model development costs by up to 40 per cent.
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Chris_140472 on 27 July 2020
That's good to know , Rav4 it is.on 27 July 2020
Land cruiser for me then. I was 6 months away from trading up my 3.2 shogun to a new shogun sport. Not a chance would I consider a mitsubishi now! Might even get rid of it now, pointless keeping it with an impending free-fall in manufacturer support.GTC20th on 27 July 2020
Sad day though, a bit like the death of SAAB. Some not bad cars but with moments of genius. Looks like we may be heading for mass produced electric tedium.allan p rhodes on 27 July 2020
Really, really sad news. Love my L200 Barbarian. Looks like I will be testing out its longevity ! (PSyou can stuff electric)CanAmSteve on 27 July 2020
And so the death spiral of the internal combustion motorcar acceleratesconman on 28 July 2020
I agree and if the government don't pull their finger out and start to promote EV manufacturing in this country then by 2032 we will have no car industry at all with thousands and thousands of unemployed. When your own Government hammers the nails into the UK car industry coffin, you have politicians that can't see beyond the end of their nose. Never mind, there will be plenty of apprenticeships at McDonald's, KFC and the like.
Mike Ferris on 28 July 2020
There is a glimmer of hope with the government support of Li4UK and Cornish Lithium. Otherwise, I totally agree with your sentiment.
Whitesweden on 28 July 2020
This is what happens when you design tedious looking cars year after year, have a look at Kia/Hyundai to see what can be acheivedgavsmit on 1 August 2020
I agree the 'corporate look' so many manufacturers have adopted has destroyed good looking, individual, car design. Gone are the days when a person who didn't know much about cars couldn't guess which manufacturer a car was made by.
But surely makes like VW / Audi / Skoda / Seat / Mazda / Ford / Peugeot / Renault are just as much, if not more, to blame than Hyundai / Kia? I think Audi and VW must have made their designers redundant years ago and just trace over old designs when launching new models!
Edited by gavsmit on 01/08/2020 at 10:18
Armitage Shanks on 28 July 2020
So the EU strategy is working. Little electric scooters all around it is then.
Edited by Armitage Shanks on 28/07/2020 at 08:42
Long Term Customer on 28 July 2020
How long will their stock last when no one would want to buy a brand that’s going? Rumour has it that the factory will not be supplying any models from end of December this year and only pick up and mirage next yearShogun Sports were from Australia and have been in the docks since 2018 in sea air for over two years already, mines nothing but hassle and clock keeps going back to Australian time and mapping!
Could be bad management from their sales director, hence a new guy bought in to try and sort it.....
Ol King Kong on 28 July 2020
Always struggled in the UK market: One or two fine niche products but too much grey porridge in the range of vehicles offered. Still, that will be one less brand to choose from.Clive Harding on 28 July 2020
This has been a long, slow road of decline for Mitsubishi Cars, both here and in the USA. I believe that Mitsubishi’s management and leadership has been singularly lacking in forward thinking, vision and support for either its dealer network or its loyal customer base. In the US, loyal customers complain bitterly online about Mitsubishi’s lack of thought or interest in their market. In my area In the UK, over the last 3 to 4 years I have had first hand accounts of dealers being basically forced out of the fold by Mitsubishi’s poor treatment of them. It’s really disappointing for those who, like me, have really liked owning their products and wanted to continue to do so. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that, in recent years, Mitsubishi have been listed as the least profitable car company in the world!Falkirk Bairn on 31 July 2020
I was at Gleneagles Hotel when Mitsubishi were launching their PHEV to their Northern Dealers.At lunch I spoke to the owner of a Northern England Mitsubishi Dealer. 3 days at the manufacturers expense. I asked what car he had driven up in.
The reply was Lexus RX450H - the reason was he liked comfort.
Despite reserved parking for attendees he had parked in the far corner to avoid being found out.
He had a string of franchises, it was family owned for some 70 years.
gavsmit on 1 August 2020
About 15 years ago I intended to buy a Mitsubishi Colt from a Mitsubishi dealership in Southampton. The salesman was oddly quiet during the test drive, but I was adequately satisfied with the car so haggled a deal and put down a deposit.Tired of waiting to hear news a few weeks later, I contacted them to say my insurance was about to expire on my current car so was my new car going to be ready in time. I was told to bring my current car down to the dealership and they'd give me a courtesy car (a Shogun Pinin which was surprisingly nice to drive) until mine was ready to save me renewing my insurance on my old car.
A few more weeks later, and still without a delivery date, I chased them again to find out they'd sold my old car despite me not giving them my permission or the V5! Now concerned, I contacted a mate in the trade who told me the dealership were about to go bust!
I stormed down there and demanded my deposit back and the trade in value of my car - they initially refused so I became more persuasive. The salesman even started writing me a cheque before I stopped him and demanded an immediate electronic transfer instead.
I understand the salesman was probably trying to keep that dealership afloat for a few extra days / weeks, but to try to con someone out of not only their deposit but the value of their trade-in as well was unforgivable.
Maybe Mitsubishi using crooks like this to sell their cars hasn't helped their sales in the UK.
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