- Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) and Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler AG announced today their plans to produce mid-sized pickup trucks at the Chrysler Group's Warren, Mich., Truck Assembly Plant. While the two vehicles will share technology, they will be distinctly different in design to appeal to each brand's customers.
Production will begin later next year on the Dodge Dakota. Mitsubishi Motors, extending its growing product line in the United States and Canada, will re-enter the competitive pickup segment in the 2005 calendar year.
"Leveraging our alliance with DaimlerChrysler, the introduction of a pickup truck makes strong business sense for Mitsubishi Motors," said Rolf Eckrodt, MMC President and Chief Executive Officer. "This pickup truck adds a new and very attractive model in a very important segment. It complements our overall product line-up in North America and thus will lead to higher overall sales in this region."
"This project marks another milestone in DaimlerChrysler's alliance strategy," said Eric Ridenour, Executive Vice President - Product Development of the Chrysler Group. "Ultimately, this will allow us both to reduce development, production times and costs while adding to our respective portfolios with distinctly different, high-quality products."
Each truck model will showcase a design signature reflective of the individual brand character. Mitsubishi Motors Design Studio in Cypress, Calif., and Chrysler Design Studio in Auburn Hills, Mich., are each responsible for their unique models. Additional product, production and sales details will be announced later.
Mitsubishi Motors has a rich heritage in the pickup segment. In 2002, the company sold worldwide more than 90,000 units of its L200 Strada pickup, which finished this year's Dakar Rally in fourth position behind three other Mitsubishi vehicles.
The pickup project is one of many alliance initiatives between Mitsubishi Motors and DaimlerChrysler in the areas of research, development, procurement, production, marketing and sales. This includes the joint development of B-segment cars. These vehicles, the European Mitsubishi Colt and DaimlerChrysler's smart forfour, will be produced at MMC's NedCar plant in the Netherlands. MMC's Colt will make its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show and will be offered in Europe from spring 2004. Last week, production of the gasoline engine for these cars (1.1 - 1.5-liter) was launched at the new 50/50 joint venture engine plant of Mitsubishi Motors and DaimlerChrysler located in the East German city of Koelleda.
In the C- and D-segments, Mitsubishi Motors cooperates with Chrysler Group for the development of the next generation of these cars. In the area of mid-size gasoline engines (1.8 - 2.4-liter), MMC works with Chrysler Group and Hyundai Motor for the joint development and production of the so-called "world engine". This project foresees the combined production of more than 1.5 million units annually worldwide. Production in Japan is scheduled to start in early 2005.
