8 of the Best Cars Mitsubishi Ever Built
After months of rumors, it’s official: Mitsubishi will be shuttering its Normal, Illinois plant after years of dwindling sales and a shrinking footprint in the American marketplace. The company has become so small in the last few years that it’s become little more than an afterthought, and lately, the automotive press has began to circle, sensing that the death watch has begun.But it wasn’t always this way. Just 15 years ago, the Illinois plant was cranking out over 200,000 cars a year, thanks to strong showing from models like the Eclipse, Galant, and Outlander. It opened the plant in 1988 in a partnership with Chrysler, under the name Diamond-Star Motors, a company that offered both Mitsus and captive import Chrysler models. The American brand pulled out in 1992, but Mitsubishi carried on for another decade or so before the real problems started.
As bleak as it may seem, good times may actually be just around the corner; the company has seen sales increases every year since 2012, and with 57,412 vehicles sold through July, it’s already moved more metal than it did in all of 2012. Customers are responding to the entry-level Mirage and the competitively-priced Outlander Sport, and with a new full-size Outlander and expanded lineup reportedly on the way, the company could find it self in a much different position in a few years time.
So in hopes that the company can rebound, here are 8 classic Mitsus to remind us that the company is capable of some pretty great things.
1. Lancer 1600 GSR
TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images
2. Starion
Source: Mitsubishi UK
3. Mitsubishi Eclipse
Source: Mitsubishi
4. Galant VR-4
Source: Mitsubishi Japan
5. 3000GT VR-4
Source: Mitsubishi
6. Diamante
Source: Mitsubishi
7. Montero
Source: Mitsubishi
8. Evo X
Source: Mitsubishi UK
With the discontinuation of the Evo, and the closure of Mitsu’s sole American factory, it really does feel like the end of an era. But Mitsubishi has weathered storms before, and with growing sales and a new lineup on the way, we’re looking forward to seeing what one of Japan’s most unique automakers will come up with for its second act.A Tiger In it`s Company`s Image And Brand.This is the car which can beat any victory japanese racing vehicle`s like targeting nissan 370z nismo.