Wow this is huge....

Mitsubishi has thrown down the gauntlet. If dealers can't sell its new products like the Outlander and Lancer, the company may pull out of the United States completely. Mitsubishi's product boss, Shinichi Kurihara said as much at a press event, indicating that the company's recovery rides on the success of the vehicles. The company is down 16.5 percent to 36,536 units so far this year, and its Normal, Ill. plant employs just one shift. Predictably, dealers have responded by urging Mitsubishi brass to open up their wallets and spend more money on advertising here in the States.


Meanwhile, Mitsubishi's May sales figures just arrived and the company posted a 3.9-percent rise in sales over May of 2005, which follows an even stronger 17.5-percent improvement last month over April of 2005.
[Source: Automotive News via AutoWeek & Autoblog]

:doh:

wow that would be weird

well honestly, what are they doing that's all that amazing or trend setting in this country? nothing that i can see. the evo is good, but what else?

well honestly, what are they doing that's all that amazing or trend setting in this country? nothing that i can see. the evo is good, but what else?


...My thoughts exactly.

I wouldn't care. They fell off after the 99 Eclipse. Now put the evo specs on an eclipse and we're talking but they won't so screw them

This would really suck for the Evo crowd. That car has become so popular and they've sold so many, but then again it's not like any of them go to the dealer for anything anyway.

Update:


Mitsubishi: We won’t leave U.S.
Despite recent rumors that it is considering leaving the United States, Mitsubishi insists it’s here to stay. Hiroshi Harunari, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc., said the company has been selling vehicles in the United States for the last 25 years, and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. “The next 25 years begins today with the full support of the Mitsubishi group companies,� he said in an interview with Automotive News. Recently, Mitsubishi product strategist Shinichi Kurihara said the automaker’s new vehicles have to “be successful for us to stay in business in the U.S.�

someone gets to spend the next fiscal year with their foot in their mouth...