Mitsubishi Eclipse 2006 on 2040-cars

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Mitsubishi reverses course on European exit with help from partner Renault

Mitsubishi will remain in some European markets after all, a surprise announcement from the company and its alliance partners Renault and Nissan confirmed early Wednesday. This is a reversal of what was expected after several rounds of restructuring were announced in 2020 as the company looked ahead to a $3.4 billion loss.  From the announcement, we can gather that Mitsubishi's survival on the continent comes care of its partners, who will supply vehicles that have already been approved for sale in Europe to be offered alongside the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross plug-in hybrid. The announcement refers to them as "sister models [...] with differentiations," which could mean anything from typical platform-sharing to some old-fashioned badge engineering. Given the company-wide cost-saving efforts, we're inclined to believe it's more along the lines of the latter.  "Mitsubishi Motors has decided to procure OEM-model vehicles from Renault, best-sellers on the European market which already meet regulatory requirements, for selected major markets in Europe," the announcement said. "Starting 2023, Mitsubishi Motors will thus sell two 'sister models' produced in Groupe Renault plants, which are based on the same platforms but with differentiations, reflecting the Mitsubishi brand’s DNA." The Alliance has also not yet confirmed which markets will remain open to Mitsubishi, however Automotive News has confirmed that the UK will not be one of them. Mitsubishi has already launched its updated Eclipse Cross lineup, but the forthcoming PHEV has yet to be fully detailed. The company said it has no plans to bring it to the United States, where the Outlander PHEV has moved in only limited volume.  Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander crossover SUV reveal

France's Macron says Renault-Nissan partnership is a 'jewel' to be strengthened

TOKYO — French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday called for further synergies and alliances to strengthen the Renault-Nissan partnership in a global market. "The Renault-Nissan alliance is a jewel in the industry," Macron told French expatriates in Tokyo. "We created a giant which we must not only preserve but develop synergies and alliances to strengthen it in the face of international competition." His comments appeared to leave open the possibility both of a deeper integration of the 20-year-old Renault-Nissan alliance, which has been shaken by the scandal over its former chief Carlos Ghosn, and tie-ups with other manufacturers. Last month, Renault and Italian-American group Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced they were in merger talks. But the discussions were called off after FCA grew frustrated with the role the French state was playing, especially its need to secure agreement from Nissan over how to move the merger forward. Since the break-off of the FCA talks, Renault executives have been looking to rebuild ties with Nissan, which is keen to reduce the influence the French state has in the alliance via its 15% stake in Renault. Renault owns 43% of the Japanese automaker, which in turn holds a 15%, non-voting stake in its partner. Nissan on Tuesday threw cold water on hopes for a quick fix to strained relations with France's Renault SA , saying inequality between the partners could unravel their two-decade-old automaking alliance. Macron said on Wednesday France would remain vigilant that Carlos Ghosn's presumption of innocence and the former Renault-Nissan leader's rights to defend himself in a Japanese lawcase are respected. "It's not up to the French president to interfere publicly in a judicial case," Macron said. "Japanese justice is independent." "We will be vigilant, just like with all our citizens across the world who have to answer to the law, through consular activity, so that the defendant's rights and presumption of innocence are respected in that case."

2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport recalled over brake lamps

Mitsubishi is recalling certain 2013 Outlander Sport models for a couple of brake-related reasons. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the brake lamps may illuminate continuously or intermittently. On top of that, the NHTSA report states that the vehicle's shift lever could be moved out of the Park position without depressing the brake pedal.
A total of 4,539 Outlander Sport models are being recalled for these issues. All of the affected vehicles were built between June 11 and September 11, 2012.
Obviously, both of these issues can be hazardous. If the brake lamps do not illuminate properly, other vehicles may not realize that the car is stopping. And if the shift lever can be moved from Park without touching the brake pedal, the vehicle could roll away unexpectedly.