2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport Se on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Mitsubishi off-road concepts head to Tokyo Auto Salon

While the focus on this side of the Pacific has been on CES and the Detroit Auto Show, over in Japan they're gearing up for the Tokyo Auto Salon. Most of the other Japanese automakers have already shown us what they have in store for the tuner expo, and now it's Mitsubishi's turn. This year, Mitsubishi will showcase two pairs of custom creations. They're all focused on the great outdoors, but two take more of an adventuring approach while the other two are geared towards camping. Two are based on the Outlander PHEV and the other two on the Delica D5 minivan. The Outdoor Gear concepts feature matte pearl white paintjobs with orange trim, black interiors with orange trim, and mesh fabric seats with grippy suede trim. The Outlander version rides on 20-inch wheels with off-road tires, a spoiler, and a bike rack on the roof. The Delica gets a carbon-style front bumper, LED daytime running lights, brush guards, and 16-inch wheels. The Active Camper concepts feature 20-inch wheels and matte silver paint with a black camo pattern – a treatment which continues inside. Here the Outlander features a new body kit, adjustable suspension, a roof box, and 1,500 watts of auxiliary power. The Delica version features a sportier grille, brush guards, and a convertible cabin space with room for two. They'll be displayed alongside a replica of the Outlander PHEV rally machine which Mitsubishi is fielding at the Baja Portalegre 500. But these are just some of the goodies in store for the Tokyo Auto Salon this year, which promises all the JDM action you could shake a carbon-fiber stick at. The doors open at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba City on Friday and will stay open through the weekend. Featured Gallery Mitsubishi at 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon News Source: Mitsubishi Tokyo Auto Salon Mitsubishi Crossover Minivan/Van Concept Cars Off-Road Vehicles mitsubishi delica

Mitsubishi president resigns in wake of fuel economy scandal

Mitsubishi has announced the resignation of two of its top executives as the company is embroiled in a scandal over its fuel-economy figures. Chief among the resignations is Tetsuro Aikawa, the company's president and chief operating officer (pictured above at left, bowing), who assumed the position less than two years ago. Joining Aikawa-san on the way out is Ryugo Nakao, one of three executive vice presidents of the company and the man responsible for product planning and quality at Mitsubishi. Though two of his principal deputies are leaving, the top executive at Mitsubishi retains his seat for the time being. Osamu Masuko (pictured above at right, seated) serves as both chairman and CEO, however with Nissan assuming over a third of the company's ownership, Masuko-san could still be replaced. A shareholders meeting is scheduled for June 24, when Aikawa and Nakao's resignations are set to take effect. According to the statement below, the company "will decide on the successors of both Representative Directors at our board of directors' meeting and make an announcement promptly." The resignations of the top officials come in the wake of revelations that Mitsubishi had falsely reported the fuel-economy figures of its vehicles for decades. The broadening scandal was uncovered when Nissan tested vehicles which Mitsubishi manufactures on its behalf and found discrepancies. As his company prepares to take control of the ailing automaker, Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn says that the greatest challenge will be restoring Mitsubishi's reputation. In a similar development, Suzuki also admitted to improper fuel-economy testing. The rival automaker claims that the measures were taken without the knowledge of senior management. Related Video: Personnel Changes (Resignation) of Members of the Board Tokyo, May 18, 2016 - Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) announced resignation of members of the board as follows: 1. Member of the Board who will resign Tetsuro Aikawa President and COO, Representative Director Ryugo Nakao Executive Vice President, Representative Director 2. Reason for resignations As our announcement today on the Report to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism concerning improper conduct in fuel consumption testing of vehicles manufactured by MMC shows, MMC has caused tremendous trouble and concern to our customers and all of our stakeholders. Considering this, Mr. Aikawa and Mr.

Nissan didn't have much say in merger talks, but it had what FCA wanted

TOKYO — Nissan wasn't consulted on the proposed merger between its alliance partner Renault and Fiat Chrysler, but the Japanese automaker's reluctance to go along may have helped bring about the surprise collapse of the talks. While Nissan Motor Co. had a weaker bargaining position from the start, with its financial performance crumbling after the arrest last year of its star executive Carlos Ghosn, it still had as its crown jewel the technology of electric vehicles and hybrids that Fiat Chrysler wanted. The board of Renault, meeting Thursday, didn't get as far as voting on the proposal, announced last week, which would have created the world's third biggest automaker, trailing only Volkswagen AG of Germany and Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. When the French government, Renault's top shareholder with a 15% stake, asked for more time to convince Nissan, Fiat Chrysler Chairman John Elkann abruptly withdrew the offer. Although analysts say reviving the talks isn't out of the question, they say trust among the players appears to have been broken. "The other companies made the mistake of underestimating Nissan's determination to say, 'No,' " said Katsuya Takeuchi, senior analyst at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities in Tokyo. The Note, an electric car with a small gas engine to charge its battery, was Japan's No. 1 selling car, the first time in 50 years that a Nissan beat Toyota and Honda. Renault and Fiat Chrysler highlighted possible synergies that come from sharing parts and research costs as the benefits of the merger. But what Fiat Chrysler lacks and really wanted was what's called in the industry "electrification technology," Takeuchi said. With emissions regulations getting stricter around the world, having such technology is crucial. Yokohama-based Nissan makes the world's best-selling electric car Leaf. Its Note, an electric car equipped with a small gas engine to charge its battery, was Japan's No. 1 selling car for the fiscal year through March, the first time in 50 years that a Nissan model beat Toyota and Honda Motor Co. for that title. Nissan is also a leader in autonomous-driving technology, another area all the automakers are trying to innovate. "Although Nissan had no say, its cautionary stance on the merger ended up being very meaningful," Takeuchi said.