Mitsubishi Motors' GDI Global Standard Eco-engine helps prevent global warming by realizing significant reductions in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. This revolutionary engine, which injects fuel directly into the cylinders, went into production in February 1996 and was first used to power the new GALANT and LEGNUM passenger models launched in August 1996. In order to meet the demand for this fast-selling family of power units, the company is to increase production capacity to 40,000 units a month in May.

Production capacity for the GDI engine family started at 200 units a month for the 1.8-liter 4G9 engine in May 1996 and 500 units a month for the 3.0-liter and 3.5-liter 6G7 units in August 1996. These capacities have subsequently been raised to keep up with fast-growing demand. The GDI family grew to three when the 2.4-liter 4G6 unit went into production in September 1997 with a monthly production capacity of 7,000 units.

Under the company's management plans, which call for all passenger car series (minicars excluded) to include eco-friendly GDI-powered models, production capacity has been increased in stages and currently stands at a monthly total of 33,400 units. This is to be further increased to 40,000 units a month in May to accommodate future growth in demand for the engine.

Increases in GDI Engine Monthly Production Capacity

The company embarked on the development of the GDI engine, which significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions, in order to actively address the issue of global warming and became the first manufacturer in the industry to successfully apply this innovative technology in a production engine. The company believes the GDI engine will become the prime power source for passenger cars in the 21st century and is currently expanding the number of production models in which this power unit is offered as the first choice engine.