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2 March 1999, Tokyo: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announces that it
will unveil, for the first time, a concept model of the PAJERO PININ*1
at the 69th Geneva Motor Show, which runs from 9 March (11 March for
the general public) through 21 March. A compact sport utility vehicle,
the new PAJERO PININ is to be produced by Industrie Pininfarina S.p.A
in Italy and will be launched on the European market in the autumn of
1999.
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*1: A new addition to the PAJERO brand, the PAJERO
PININ model name derives from the celebrated Italian company that
will produce the model in Italy.
Mitsubishi PAJERO PININ
The PAJERO PININ has been developed to play a strategic role in further strengthening Mitsubishi Motors' operational base in Europe for the 21st century. The new model is the company's first entry into the European compact SUV segment, seen as having strong growth potential, and is designed to meet diversifying user needs.
PAJERO PININ will become the fifth Mitsubishi model in Europe to be powered by Mitsubishi Motors' revolutionary GDI*2 engine, which has been developed in response to the challenge of environmental conservation. Other Mitsubishi GDI-powered models on sale in Europe are the CARISMA, SPACE STAR, SPACE WAGON and GALANT.
PAJERO PININ will be produced for Mitsubishi Motors by Pininfarina under a contract signed in January 1997. The Italian company is renowned for its advanced technology and its track record in the field of design development and car production. The first PAJERO PININ is due to come off the line at Pininfarina's new facility at Bairo outside Turin this summer, with plans calling for a production volume of 11,000 units this year, rising to between 30,000 and 35,000 units in 2000.
PAJERO PININ is Mitsubishi Motors' third European model, joining the CARISMA and SPACE STAR (combined production in calendar 1998, 92,000 units; planned production for 1999, 130,000 units) models that are produced at Netherlands Car B.V. (NedCar) in Holland, a joint-venture enterprise with Volvo. Mitsubishi Motors will be promoting European market sales around these three core models, with a sales target of 330,000 units for 2000.
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*2: Gasoline Direct Injection
1. PAJERO PININ: Outline description
The PAJERO PININ has been developed for the European market from the PAJERO iO 3-door model that was introduced on the Japanese market in June 1998 as a new series in the PAJERO brand family.
Features of the new model include: Mitsubishi's high-efficiency, low-consumption
and environment-friendly GDI engine, which has already received high
acclaim in Europe; Mitsubishi's own SS4-i (Super Select 4WD-i) four-wheel
drive system; together with abundant evidence of Pininfarina design
taste in both interior and exterior trim. This happy marriage between
the outstanding all-round road performance fostered in the PAJERO and
Pininfarina design and production technology excellence results in a
unique and attractive vehicle that meets the needs of the European market.
Outline specification
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Overall length : |
3735 mm |
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Overall width : |
1695 mm |
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Overall height : |
1695 mm |
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Engine : |
1.8-liter GDI |
2. Mitsubishi Motors exhibits at 1999 Geneva Motor Show
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Model |
No. on display |
- PAJERO PININ (concept model)
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2 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
1 |
- L200 Double Cab 4 x 4 (STRADA in Japan)
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1 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
2 |
- GALANT, GALANT WAGON (LEGNUM)
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4 |
- COLT (MIRAGE), LANCER WAGON (LIBERO)
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3 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
- PAJERO EVOLUTION (1999 Paris-Dakar entry)
|
1 |
|
TOTAL |
23 |
3. Pininfarina S.p.A profile (as at 1997)
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Established : |
1930 |
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Capitalization : |
ITL 90 billion |
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CEO: |
Sergio Pininfarina |
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Employees : |
2,500 |
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Sales : |
1997 |
ITL 1,040 billion |
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Production capacity : |
40,000 units |
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Production volume : |
1997 |
35,000 |
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Models in production : |
Fiat Coupe, Peugeot 306 Cabriolet and 406 Coupe, Lancia K Station Wagon, Bentley Azure, Ferrari |
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