Mitsubishi not shutting down
25 Oct, 2006
2 Comments 
If anyone watched the 7:30 report last night they should really not be considering buying a Mitsubishi. With reports that Mitsubishi is going to close its factory and pull out of Australia, Mitsubishi has had to take reactive steps is clarifying the report presented:
“Once again, please be assured that there has been no decision nor plan to cease production at our Tonsley Park manufacturing plant,” Mitsubishi Australia Boss, Mr McEniry said in his letter.
“Mitsubishi continues to perform to expectations and is tracking in line with our business plan and budgets for 2006.”
The report presented last night suggested that Mitsubishi is planning to pull out of Australia. the draft document apparently leaked from Mitsubishi, set out three possible dates for closure: February 2007, October 2007 or March 2008.
An official announcement would be made four months before the closure date, the document said. The plan, oddly named, Project Phoenix, would have Mitsubishi create the illusion of business as usual by continuing to place small orders for stock until one month before closure was announced.
According to the ABC, the document said ceasing local production was “inevitable” as sales of its locally made 380 sedan had failed to meet expectations and that Mitsubishi would remain in Australia only as an importer of vehicles.
All I can say, the future of Mitsubishi has never really looked that great. The first time I saw the 380, I wondered why on earth would mitsubishi put all its eggs in the “family car” basket hoping to compete against the likes of the Commodore and Falcon. Either way, the next few years will be interesting for the struggling Japanese car maker.
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February 24th, 2007 at 8:26 am
The 380 is a nice car to drive and build quality is supurb, But the styling is woeful! Also persisting in front wheel drive goes againgt the Australian love for large rear wheeled cars I can’t understand Mitsubshi investing so much money and risking it’s future in Australia in a car styled like the 380.
All you need to do is compare it to the new commodore, Falcon and Toyota’s new Aurian, and wonder why you would buy one unless your loyal to Mitsubshi.
It’s almost history repeating itself with Chrysler releasing the CM Valiant against the new VB commodor and the XD Falcon! The 380 resembles the valiant in a modern form and being designed and built in Australia.
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February 24th, 2007 at 10:16 am
This was inevitable. I have no idea why they decided to invest money into the 380 with a bigger engine considering the current climate… personally I like the old Magnas it was always just a relaibility issue with them. With the 380 they went downhill really, its a nice car and all, but engine performance is ordinary and fuel consumption aint great. Two things buyers really want. And even if the car was successful, with their massive warranty I would imagine they would have struggled in a couple of years time when their cars which havent been known for their reliability start to break down. Also I dont think FWD was a major issue, look at Camry and the Aurion… if you put a decent car out their, people will be interested, but the 380 aint to crash hot and its certainly not easy on the eyes.
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