Mitsubishi Motor Sales Marks 10 Years in Canada
10th Anniversary Lancer Hits Showrooms
Sep 06, 2012
Mississauga, ON –September 6, 2012– One of the youngest car companies in Canada, Mitsubishi Motor Sales reached 10 years of marketing vehicles and satisfying Canadian consumers this week. The milestone is supported by the 157,607 customers that have purchased Mitsubishi cars, sport utilities and crossovers since 2002 throughout Canada.
“Considering our relatively small size, we’ve made tremendous gains as a company by holding to our core automotive philosophy: Design and manufacture cars that are affordable, reliable, fuel efficient and fun to drive, while at the same time offering a significantly reduced environmental impact,” said Shin Fujioka, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada (MMSCAN).
He added: “We have also strengthened our organization, building a strong national team of 80 employees, 83 dealerships and a national parts distribution centre; we’ve also done our part to look after less fortunate people around the world.”
MMSCAN sales have grown steadily since its 2002 launch in Canada. The gradual introduction of new models, and dramatic 2004 launch of the world’s best and most comprehensive warranty (10 years or 160,000 km powertrain protection), helped to grow Mitsubishi volume in Canada.
In 2011 Mitsubishi cracked the 20,000 barrier with 20,511 deliveries. So far in 2012, MMSCAN has sold 13,115 vehicles; Quebec is the company’s strongest region with over 40 per cent of overall sales in that province.
To help celebrate ten years in Canada, MMSCAN will introduce a 10th Anniversary Edition Lancer, with a starting price of $19,998. The new 2013 Lancer model offers a superb value proposition, loaded with standard equipment such as rear spoiler, sunroof, new alloy wheels, fog lamps and other extras.
While early nameplates Galant, Eclipse, Eclipse Spyder and Endeavor have been phased out, MMSCAN has evolved to a more diverse line-up that today competes in three key (and one emerging) automotive segments with these distinct product lines:
・ Lancer - in the compact sedan segment which is the largest car market in Canada. The line-up for 2013 ranges from the entry-level DE at $15,498 all the way to the Lancer Evolution at $51,798, as well as affordable 4WD versions, the Ralliart and the Sportback models.
・ RVR and Outlander - two strong contenders in the compact crossover/SUV segment, respectively – the largest segments for trucks
・ i-MiEV – Canada’s most fuel efficient subcompact car in the emerging Electric Vehicle market and a stepping-stone to the introduction of future EV or PHEV models
Based just outside of Toronto in Mississauga, Ont., MMSCAN is the sales, marketing and distribution subsidiary of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation of Japan. Featuring a culturally diverse workforce, MMSCAN’s employees are extremely engaged and, along with a national dealer organization, support a broader community, specifically underprivileged children.
To that end, MMSCAN and its dealers helped bring the dream of a better life closer to reality for tens of thousands children with over $1.6 million raised for the international humanitarian organization Right To Play. The funds are raised annually during a sales challenge where a donation is made for every retail sale of a Mitsubishi vehicle. MMSCAN’s latest effort will make a difference in disadvantaged areas of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America and Canada.
Mitsubishi Motors has been in Canada for 10 years, in the United States for 31 years and globally since 1970 -- and Mitsubishi Motors’ corporate origins date back to 1917 when, as part of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding (later becoming Mitsubishi Heavy Industries) produced Japan’s first series production automobile.
