Mitsubishi turns to Renault-Nissan for future models

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Mitsubishi's Future Models: Collaboration with Renault-Nissan

The final make to be looked at in the Groupe Renault and Nissan Motor series is Mitsubishi Motors (MMC). Earlier insights focused on Alpine and Renault, Dacia, Lada, RSM, Datsun, Nissan and Infiniti.

'Drive for Growth', a strategic plan which runs to the end 2021, is Mitsubishi's map to financial sustainability. In addition to the introduction of 11 new or facelifted models, DfG calls for increases of more than 30 per cent in both annual unit sales (to 1.3 million vehicles) and in revenues (to JPY2.5tr) as well as an operating margin of six per cent by the end of fiscal 2019.

The XPander and Eclipse Cross, both introduced in 2017, were the first two of the eventual 11 vehicles. MMC says that by the time DfG has run its three-year course, SUVs, 4WDs and PHEV should account for 70 per cent of the sales volume.

EVs & PHEVs

The launch of the i-MiEV (Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle, based on the MMC i) took place in Japan in July 2009. The little car has had a few updates and is still manufactured, albeit in small volumes. Models based on this tiny EV were created by MMC for PSA, with the Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero becoming available in various European markets from late 2010. Even though very few are sold, they remain available.

A special version of the i-MiEV went on sale in the USA during Q3, 2011. It premiered at the Los Angeles auto show in November 2010 as the 2012 Mitsubishi i and was 285mm longer and 110mm wider than the i-MiEV sold elsewhere in the world. The i became available in all 50 US states during 2012. There was a name change to i-MiEV for the 2014 model year. The US and Canadian importers discontinued the i-MiEV at the end of their 2017 model years.

Production of the i-MiEV, iOn and C-Zero should end in the coming months. None of the cars will be directly replaced although there will be a sort-of successor model for the Japanese market.

Mitsubishi Motors and the then Renault-Nissan Alliance (now Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi) issued a statement to the media in November 2013 concerning a proposed expansion of NMKV, their mini-vehicle ('Kei') manufacturing joint venture.

The companies said at the time that they intend to "co-develop a new small-segment car including a specific electric version that can be sold globally. The basis for this product will be from a jointly-developed 'Kei car' platform of the type popular in the Japanese domestic market. Further details of all products, markets and manufacturing will be announced separately". Unlike the i-MiEV, which is a five-door hatchback, the new model vehicle will likely be a mini-SUV.