2003 Mitsubishi Outlander on 2040-cars

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Mitsubishi says it will make money from EVs

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is the lowest-cost plug-in vehicle available in the US. The spartan EV's small price tag shouldn't lead you to believe the company doesn't see dollar signs where there's a plug. Mitsubishi says that electric vehicles are one of the three profitable segments that have helped the company get back into the black. The other two are light trucks and crossovers. We suspect that the resounding success of the Outlander PHEV played a bigger role in this than the i-MiEV, but you never know. Mitsubishi Motors Corp president Tetsuro Aikawa told Automotive News that the company will keeps its focus on those three segments and ease back on sedans and performance cars. To that end, the Outlander Plug-In Hybrid will come to the US next April, many years after it went on sale in Japan and Europe. The vehicle will fit well with Mitsubishi's plans to shift its strategy to SUVs and CUVs here. Related Video:

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.

Mitsubishi recalls 141,000 Lancers, Outlanders, and Outlander Sports

Mitsubishi issued two recalls this month, one big, one small, that affect several cars from the brand's past and current lineup. The major recall covers old Lancers, Lancer Sportbacks, Outlanders, and Outlander Sports that might have an issue with corrosion weakening the suspension. The second recall affects the current-generation Outlander and Outlander PHEV that have improperly built seat belt assemblies. NHTSA campaign No. 20V279000 states that Mitsubishi is recalling 141,200 2008-2010 Lancers, 2010 Lancer Sportbacks, 2008-2013 Outlanders, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sports due to the possibility that the front cross member on these vehicles might be damaged. If these vehicles encountered road salt, snowmelt water, and anti-freezing agents, the cross member could corrode. If the cross member corrodes, there is a slight possibility the front control arm could detach and create an extremely dangerous situation.  This recall only pertains to vehicles in the Salt Belt region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington D.C. Mitsubishi dealerships will inspect affected cars and make a judgment call from there. If the damage is minimal or non-existent, Mitsubishi will spray and seal the cross member with new anti-corrosion protection. If the cross member is damaged, Mitsubishi will replace it for free.  NHTSA campaign No. 20V280000 affects 3,238 2019-2020 Outlanders and 2019 Outlander PHEVs due to potentially faulty seat belts. On these vehicles the seat belts for the second-row passenger-side seat might have the wrong part. "Due to inappropriate manufacturing process at the supplier, the guide piece (which is a component part of the second-row seat belts’ anchorage) for the left side seat belt was mistakenly assembled with the right side seat belt, causing seat belt restraint efficiency for vehicle occupants to decrease in the vehicle collisions," a recall document states. Mitsubishi dealerships will inspect the seat belts in affected cars and replace them, if necessary. It is believed only 1% of the 3,238 vehicles have the defect. Visit the NHTSA for more information.