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Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Mitsubishi

2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse

2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse – Click above for high-res image gallery

It turns out the rumors we heard about the languishing Mitsubishi lineup are true. According to Automotive News, Mitsubishi is planning to drop the axe on the entirety of its American-made portfolio of vehicles in order to begin building new global platforms here in the States. That means that the Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant will all be sent to pasture gradually between now and 2014. In their place, Mitsubishi is likely to begin building cars and crossovers off of the Lancer and Outlander bones at the company’s Normal, Illinois manufacturing facility. At least some of those vehicles will be hybrid or battery powered.

Mitsubishi has made it clear that the company will offer eight hybrid and battery-powered vehicles by 2015 in a move to be better prepared for rising fuel prices. The company saw a sales increase of around three percent last year, and by 2013 or 2014, the automaker says that it plans to see that figure at 37 percent. That would mean Mitsubishi would need to move a total of 1.37 million vehicles by that date.

Gallery: 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse

[Sources: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Report: Mitsubishi to kill Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Japan, Crossover

Mitsubishi Eclipse yellow

Mitsubishi Eclipse – Click above for high-res image gallery

Things aren’t looking good for the Mitsubishi lineup of American-built vehicles. According to AutoWeek, the Japanese automaker is channeling all of its resources into building a new global small car. That means that between now and 2012, we won’t be seeing too many updates to the likes of the Galant, Endeavor, Eclipse or Eclipse Spyder. All of those past-their-prime vehicles ride on the same platform and are built in the company’s Normal, Illinois manufacturing facility. As of right now, AutoWeek says that the Japanese automaker hasn’t decided what to build at that plant once cars like the current Eclipse go the way of the dinosaur.

Mitsubishi has been planning a new global car for a good while now, and while details are still murky at the moment, we’re told to expect a fuel-thrifty 1.0 or 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood. The car is expected to show up in either late 2012 or early 2013, which leaves Mitsubishi to soldier on with only two other planned additions to its lineup between now and then – the i-MiEV electric vehicle and the Outlander Sport.

Us? We’re a bit more pessimistic. If cash-strapped Mitsu offs a significant portion of its lineup amidst slumping sales, will a new inexpensive small car and the Outlander and Lancer lineups make U.S. dealers enough money for them to stay in business?

[Source: AutoWeek]

Report: Mitsubishi could kill off Galant, Eclipse by 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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