Mitsubishi Motors to concentrate on SUVs
By Marianne V. Go
The Philippine Star 01/31/2005

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) said it will concentrate on sports utility vehicle (SUV) production with about two-thirds of its output intended for export to the Southeast Asian market.

According to MMPC senior vice president for marketing Melchor Dizon, MMPC is moving forward on its new SUV model that is expected to be unveiled by the last quarter of 2006 or first quarter of 2007.

The still unnamed SUV, Dizon disclosed, is intended to be a family vehicle with a seating capacity for eight passengers, but also convertible to be a multi-purpose vehicle.

It would come in two engine variants, a 2.5-liter diesel engine and a 2.4-liter gas option.

The new SUV model would likely be similar to Toyota’s new multi-purpose vehicle Innova.

Dizon said MMPC is eyeing an initial production of about 3,000 units for the new SUV model, with about two-thirds of the production intended for export to the ASEAN region.

According to Dizon, MMPC is in the midst of realigning its plant for the new SUV, with the completion of the new production line by March this year.

"MMPC is spending P2 billion for the development of the new SUV, although the production of the new vehicle is a collaboration of MMPC with China Motors and Mitsubishi Motors of Japan.