Mitsubishi Won't Build Another Montero/Pajero

by Mark Stevenson

Published: December 12th, 2015

mitsubishi won t build another montero pajero

According to a report last week from Japan’s Nikkei, the Mitsubishi Montero — known as the Pajero in other global markets — is totally, completely, and utterly dead. Mitsubishi will instead focus on crossovers and electrification going forward.

Mitsubishi had teased “The Return of a Legend” earlier this year before the Chicago Auto Show, which many in the automotive press — including TTAC — thought might be a replacement for the flagship SUV. The automaker showed instead its Mitsubishi Concept GC-PHEV.

According to the Nikkei report, Mitsubishi has all but stopped development on a new Montero/Pajero. The large SUV was last redesigned for the 2006 model year, but that generation didn’t make it to the United States.

The latest news comes during a time of awkward growth for Mitsubishi.

While sales are up for Mitsubishi in the United States, the brand is relying on lower-margin product like the Mirage and Outlander Sport. And while sales were up earlier this year for the aging Lancer compact, that model is slated to go out of production in March with no successor planned, reports Nikkei. Mitsubishi’s electric car, the i-MiEV, also won’t get a second generation in the United States.

Mitsubishi did show an Outlander Sport-sized electric crossover in Tokyo earlier this year, which will likely spawn a production model for 2017. In Los Angeles, the brand showed off a heavily-facelifted Mirage subcompact.

To fill gaps in its domestic lineup, Mitsubishi has tapped Suzuki to provide kei-class microcars and Nissan to provide luxury sedans, reports Nikkei.

Mitsubishi closed its only assembly plant in North America, responsible for producing the Outlander Sport, in late November. About 300 workers will remain until May 2016 to produce parts.

#Canceled #Cancelled #DOA #Mitsubishi #MitsubishiMontero #MitsubishiPajero #MitsubishiShogun #Montero #Pajero #Shogun

Mark Stevenson

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AdventureSteve on Dec 12, 2015

Nobody knows how to make a 4WD utility vehicle properly anymore anyway. This is too bad, Mitsubishi was on the short list of companies I hoped would prove me wrong. I’m starting to think it wouldn’t be so crazy if I bought another Wrangler Unlimited and shrink wrapped it for the day my current one needs replacing.

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Stuki on Dec 12, 2015

Was just thinking about the dearth of non pickups with decent wheel well clearance while clearing caked on snow/slush preventing even 1 mm of wheel travel today with a hammer today.... When the last guy throws in the towel, and everyone is a naysayer, it is generally the best time to buy......

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Alan My view is there are good vehicles from most manufacturers that are worth looking at second hand.I can tell you I don't recommend anything from the Chrysler/Jeep/Fiat/etc gene pool. Toyotas are overly expensive second hand for what they offer, but they seem to be reliable enough.I have a friend who swears by secondhand Subarus and so far he seems to not have had too many issue.As Lou stated many utes, pickups and real SUVs (4x4) seem quite good.
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28-Cars-Later Actually Honda seems to have a brilliant mid to long term strategy which I can sum up in one word: tariffs.-BEV sales wane in the US, however they will sell in Europe (and sales will probably increase in Canada depending on how their government proceeds). -The EU Politburo and Canada concluded a trade treaty in 2017, and as of 2024 99% of all tariffs have been eliminated.-Trump in 2018 threatened a 25% tariff on European imported cars in the US and such rhetoric would likely come again should there be an actual election. -By building in Canada, product can still be sold in the US tariff free though USMCA/NAFTA II but it should allow Honda tariff free access to European markets.-However if the product were built in Marysville it could end up subject to tit-for-tat tariff depending on which junta is running the US in 2025. -Profitability on BEV has already been a variable to put it mildly, but to take on a 25% tariff to all of your product effectively shuts you out of that market.
Lou_BC Actuality a very reasonable question.
Lou_BC Peak rocket esthetic in those taillights (last photo)