This story is from July 12, 2007

Mitsubishi set to drive in SUVs

Yogima Seth / TNN / Jul 12, 2007, 01:12 IST

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Mitsubishi Motor Corporation plans to widen its portfolio in the fast growing luxury car segment in the country.

NEW DELHI: Riding high on the success of its existing models in India, Japan’s leading luxury car maker - Mitsubishi Motor Corporation- is mulling plans to widen its portfolio in the fast growing luxury car segment in the country.
While the next model - after Lancer, Cedia, Pajero and Montero - to be rolled-out from the Mitsubishi stable is likely to be another sports utility vehicle (SUV), the company’s sixth model to hit India roads next year will be a sedan, a high-end version of its existing Lancer.
According to sources, the company will introduce its compact SUV - Outlander - by the end of this year. This will be followed by a sporty sedan called the Lancer Evolution 9, most often referred to as The Evo.
While the Outlander will compete with the likes of Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson, Evo will give a tough ride to Porsche’s Carrera 4S.

Initially both the vehicles will be made available in India as completely built units (CBUs) but depending on the response the company might undertake the completely knock down (CKD) route to price the vehicle competitively. This means assembling the same in India with its technical partner - Hindustan Motors - at their Chennai plant.
"We will introduce an all new model from the Mitsubishi product line in Japan by 2007-end, taking our total number of models to five," says R Santhanam, managing director, Hindustan Motors. However, he refused to divulge details of the company’s upcoming models in India.
Mitsubishi Motors currently sells Lancer, Cedia and Pajero as CKDs while Montero - launched just 10 months back - is sold as a CBU. While Outlander is expected to be priced in the company’s existing price band of Rs 6.4 lakh to Rs 34 lakh, Evo could go up to Rs 50 lakh to Rs 70 lakh.

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