Much has been written about Mitsubishi's continuity in Europe being threatened, largely because of the new strategic plan focused on Asia. But now, the announcement of the production of new models in Europe from 2023, seems to go against all that.
A few months ago we were reporting on the future of Mitsubishi in the old continent, as the latest restructuring process of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance had come out with a new strategy where each member of this triad would focus on their most profitable regions.
In Mitsubishi's case, those regions are Southeast Asia and Oceania, which yield nearly five times as much as all other global regions — where it is represented — combined.
Following this restructuring, Mitsubishi announced that it would no longer have new products in Europe, leaving only the sale of models already launched until the end of their commercial life cycle and the after-sales service.
But now, the history of the three-diamond brand in Europe seems to have gained a new chapter, with the announcement of a cooperation agreement for the production of new models in Europe starting in 2023, with the Renault Group.
Subscribe to our newsletter
According to the Japanese brand, these new models, which will be produced at the Renault Group's factories, “will reinforce the Mitsubishi product range in Europe, starting an important update, which will start in May, with the launch of the new Eclipse Cross PHEV”.
“I am delighted to see Mitsubishi Motors build a new range of products in Europe. The objective of the Alliance is to increase competitiveness and allow a more effective sharing of resources for the benefit of all three companies that comprise it”, explains Jean-Dominique Senard, president of the Alliance Operating Board and of Renault.
Takao Kato, CEO of Mitsubishi MotorsMitsubishi Motors welcomes the original Renault models for the European market. This agreement will provide us with the availability of new products developed and manufactured in Europe, side by side with our after-sales business, which will maintain its activity.
Luca de Meo, Executive Director of the Renault Group, also reacted to the announcement: “This pragmatic and value-driven initiative will make a difference in our factories, in the presence of our partner in the market and on European streets. This project fulfills all our partner's expectations, both in terms of design, compliance with current legislation and business perspective”.
Luca de Meo, Executive Director of the Renault GroupIt was for this type of cooperation that the Alliance was created and, at the Renault Group, we are very happy to be able to contribute to this new step in its history of cooperation.
Remember that Mitsubishi announced less than a month ago the new Outlander, which shares the platform with the Nissan Rogue (the future X-Trail), which is the first model of the brand in the country of the rising sun to be developed under the umbrella of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.