— Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today unveiled its Grandis minivan to the Chinese market for the first time at the 2004 Beijing International Motor Show. The seven-seater Grandis is slated to roll out of Chinese showrooms in October.
MMC is displaying a total of nine models at this year's show, which runs from June 9 to 16, including the Pajero used by Team Mitsubishi Ralliart China in the 2004 Dakar
Rally, the Outlander sport-utility vehicle, and an exciting new high-performance sports concept car first shown in the U.S. earlier this year.
On May 21, MMC announced a business revitalization plan that positions China as a strategically important market for future growth. MMC's sales have been steadily increasing
in China and it saw its fiscal 2002 volume of 91,000 units surge 66 percent to 151,000 units in fiscal 20031, thanks largely to strong sales of the
Lioncel2 sedan and the introduction of new models such as the imported Pajero, and locally build Pajero Sport and Outlander.
To build on this growth, MMC plans to launch four new models in China during the current fiscal year and a total of eleven new models and full model changes by the end of
fiscal 2007. The company will also spread its sales network to encompass 500 outlets under the Mitsubishi Motors brand by fiscal 2008.
The Grandis shown in Beijing will play a key role in the company's efforts to build up the Mitsubishi Motors brand and bolster its product lineup in China. With the new
products and expanded sales network, MMC forecasts sales of over 200,000 units in fiscal 2004 and is looking to raise this to 310,000 units in fiscal 2008.
- Grandis
- The Grandis first went on sale in May last year in Japan and in April this year it was launched in Europe. Now, the stylish mid-size minivan with three rows of seats is
poised for its debut in China in October.
The Grandis will be tailored for the needs of the Chinese market with a dual sunroof and automatic air conditioning in both the front and back installed as standard
features. In terms of safety features, side airbags for the first row of back seats and curtain airbags for the first and second rows are included as standard along with
air bags for the passenger and driver's seats.
- 2004 Dakar Rally Pajero
- Team Mitsubishi Ralliart China is the motor sport team of Ralliart China (formed in November 2003 from the former Ralliart Hong Kong) in which actor and director Jackie
Chan holds the position of honorary director. The team is headed by Li Chunwei, Deputy Secretary General of the Federation of Automobile Sports of the Peoples Republic of
China. Finishing in overall 47th place, Mitsubishi Ralliart China's Luo Ding attracted media attention at this year's Dakar Rally as the first Chinese driver to complete
the race.
- Outlander
- The Outlander sport-utility vehicle went on sale in China in January this year. Combining the off-road capabilities of a sport-utility vehicle with the urban style and
comfort of a modern sedan, the Outlander is equally at home cruising down city streets or roaming around the countryside. Following on from the Pajero Sport launched in
March 2003, the Outlander is the second model to be produced locally in China under the Mitsubishi badge by Beijing Jeep Corporation.
- Eclipse Concept-E
- First shown at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this year, the Eclipse Concept-E offers very competitive levels of dynamic handling and exhilarating
performance. The "E-Boost" high-performance hybrid propulsion system powering Concept-E also achieves an ideal balance between driving and environmental performance as it delivers breath-taking acceleration while returning low fuel consumption and low emission levels. In short, the Eclipse Concept-E gives graphic expression to MMC's focus on delivering pure driving pleasure.
1 Calendar year '03: 145,235 units, up 106.1 percent from 70,461 in '02
2 Manufactured by South East (Fujian) Motor Corporation Ltd. Launched in March 2003
