— Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today announced that two of its cars have won top accolades in the Thailand Car of the Year Awards presented at the 26th Bangkok International Motor Show. At a ceremony on March 28, the organizers of the show presented the Mitsubishi Grandis minivan (Space Wagon in Thailand) with the Best MPV Award and the Strada pickup with the Best Export Pickup Award. Also drawing large numbers of visitors to Mitsubishi Motors stands is the Lancer Evolution IX high-performance 4WD sport sedan that is making its stage debut in South East Asia. The Bangkok International Motor Show is being held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC) until April 3.
Mitsubishi Motors brought Grandis to market in Japan in May 2003 as a lifestyle enriching next-generation minivan. The domestic launch was followed by exports to Europe and Australia. Produced locally at Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) Co., Ltd.'s Laemchabang factory, Grandis went on sale at MMTh dealer outlets throughout Thailand in October 2004. MMTh is the Mitsubishi Motors' production, sales and export hub in Thailand. With total sales of approximately 2,000 vehicles in the four months since its launch to February 2005. The company started exporting the built-in-Thailand Grandis to the Philippines in January this year.
The Strada pickup went into production at MMTh in 1995. As well as being sold in Thailand, the model is now exported to over 140 markets around the world (excluding North America.) With cumulative exports topping 600,000 units in February 2005, Strada has proven to be a key model in the company's lineup.
MMTh became Thailand's first car exporter when it started overseas shipments in 1988. At the end of 2004 it extended its run as the country's top auto exporter to 17 years.
