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China Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation's affiliated local
production and sales company in Taiwan, put a new concept multi-purpose
vehicle on the market on Thursday September 11.
The new model was unveiled at the Taipei International
Convention Center in Taipei, at 2.00 pm local time on September 11. Among
the 400 or so attending the launch ceremony were Mitsubishi Motors' president
Mr Takemune Kimura, executive vice-president Mr Koya Okamoto, CMC vice-chairman
Mr Hsin-I Lin, as well as senior government officials and representatives
of major suppliers and dealers.
Mitsubishi Motors had, for some time, been developing
a semi-bonnet type of Dynamic Family Wagon (DFW) that offered passenger
car levels of comfort and performance for the Asian and ASEAN region as
well as for other markets. Making its debut in Taiwan, the new DFW, dubbed
FREECA in that market, offers road performance on a par with a passenger
car, ease of entry and egress, advanced styling, outstanding safety levels
and space utility together with low price. In addition, it presents a
new concept of vehicle: one that, embodying a sporty utility flavor, is
ideally suited to either private or commercial use.
Mitsubishi Motors worked closely with CMC in developing
FREECA, conducting detailed market surveys and determining a specification
that incorporated market needs to the maximum extent. To avoid duplication
of investment, the production of newly developed complementation parts
is being shared between the three countries of Taiwan, the Philippines
and Indonesia. The new model conforms to Mitsubishi Motors' stringent
global quality standards.
FREECA has been developed and produced through extensive
consultation between Mitsubishi Motors and CMC right from the development
stage in order to realize a specification and level of quality that meet
Taiwan market requirements. Taiwan is an important market for Mitsubishi
Motors and the company decided to introduce the new DFW model ahead of
other auto manufacturers at a time when indications point to strong growth
in the sport utility segment. Plans call for a production volume of 1,450
units a month in the first year, eventually peaking at 20,000 units a
year.
FREECA Profile
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Dimensions (L x W x H; mm):
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4320 (4375) x 1650 (1690) x 1800 (1830)
(Figures in parentheses for SUPER EXCEED trim level)
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Engine:
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Gasoline 2000 cc in-line 4-cylinder SOHC
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Transmission:
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5-speed manual
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Drive mode:
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Rear-wheel drive
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Wheelbase (mm)
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2620
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Track (mm)
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Front
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1455
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Rear
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1380
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Trim levels:
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GL, GLX, GLS, SUPER EXCEED
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No. passengers
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5 (7 for SUPER EXCEED)
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Main equipment and trim:
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Dual air conditioning; Keyless entry; Power windows;
Power door mirrors; Side impact door beams; Wood grain finish instrument
panel. (Specification differs with trim level)
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Prices:
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From NT$420,000 to NT$590,000 (approx.)
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Note: The model name FREECA is coined from "free" and
"ca", Taiwanese for vehicle.
CMC Corporate Profile
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Corporate name:
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China Motor Corporation
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Head office:
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2, Sec.2, Tun Hwa South Road, Taipei, Taiwan
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Established:
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June 13, 1969
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Capitalization:
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NT$6,670,000,000
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Share holders:
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Mitsubishi Motors Corp.
Mitsubishi Corp.
Local interests
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15.95%
5.47%
78.58%
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Representative:
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Chairman, Vivian W. Yen
Vice-chairman, Hsin-I Lin
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Employees:
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Approx. 2,800
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CMC Factory Profile
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Yang Mei Plant
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Hsinchu Plant
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Youth Plant
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Floor area (sq. m)
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198,475
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50,524
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13,266
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Models produced
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LANCER, LIBERO, DELICA, MINICAB, VARICA, FREECA
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Large-, medium- and small-size FUSO trucks, engines
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Vehicle maintenance; parts depot
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Production capacity
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120,000 units / year
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