Mitsubishi to close California design studio
March 10, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Mitsubishi will close its California design center by the end of June in line with a company mandate that insists all cars are now of global (instead of regional) design.
Mitsubishi spokesman Tetsuji Inoue said the closure of the studio could mean a loss of its 60 employees as Mitsubishi relocates the functions of the studio back to Japan.
As part of Mitsubishi Motors R&D facility, the portion of the centre that carries out testing, certification and other research duties will remain open which comes as good news to the 50 staff who will remain. Mitsubishi is also keeping a smaller design center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Inoue said.
The move highlights Mitsubishi’s struggle to adjust to plunging sales in the United States. The design studio was central to the design of such cars as the Eclipse, Eclipse Spyder, Endeavor and Galant (pictured above).
Print it: 
Why this does not look “great”, the facelift Galant pictured (the 380 was basically the same car) could have done the 380 some extra sales.
Closure not surprising. Having an American design studio didn’t exactly result in them selling many cars in America.
Captain,
I wish Toyota would close their US design(?) studio. Kluger and Camry to name just 2 of the awful products from there.
But Cadman, Camry has been the top selling car in America for at least a decade, so in Toyota’s case the US design centre works. The problem is that they inflict the products from it on our part of the world.
Capt, exactly my point. And they inflict pain along with it. The Australian version of the V6 (badged as Aurion) is much better without even changing any metal. Personally I think that Toyota missed the boat by trying to make the V6 something different, rather than just do the Aus version accross the Camry range
Cadman, the problem with Camry/Aurion is that they’re the same size. Toyota lacks a medium car (Accord Euro/Mazda6 size) with the sporty feel that these cars have. The choice between something like this and a larger six-cylinder car would give them a much bigger market spread than having a boring, bigger than necessary car as their four cylinder entry.
Aurion is actually well styled.
If you compare it to past Toyota “sedans” its a signficant improvement and “very” sporty looking.
(Lead designer was Aussie) and it is very Aussie looking.
The Camry.. yes unfortunately is US inspired.
Its still an improvement over past camrys but you can definitely tell it has strong U.S styling kews.
I agree that Toyota should simple seperate the Aurion and Camry altogether so the Aurion can become more “australianized” but it wont happen especially now with the crisis and profit saving protocols.
The Camry isnt that big anyways, its slightly longer than the Mazda 6 and Accord. If anything the Aurion is smaller than Commodore and Falcon.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Toyota combine the Aurion and the Camry uneder one name… most likeyl Camry as its more well known in Australia. and offer it with the option aof a 4 cylinder or a V6 – like the original Camry.
Not only that but Holden are expected to offer the upcoming Commoodre with a 4cyl option – like the original
Back on Topic: one car Mitsubishi should “please consider” importing from the USA is the Eclips Sports Coupe as a possible rival to the 370Z and the like