China-made Mitsubishi Zinger rolls off line

Shanghai, October 23 (Gasgoo.com) The Mitsubishi Zinger SUV made by Chinese carmaker Southeast Motor rolled off line today, said xinhuanet.com today. The new "MICS-RV"-positioned model will go on sale in China soon this year with the selling price of about 100,000 yuan ($14,600).

The Mitsubishi Zinger, which is designed to meet the demands from Asian consumers, creates an "MICS" concept, and is positioned as "MICS-RV" -- M standing for Multi-purpose, I for Interior roominess and riding comfort, C for Compact body size and S for Sophisticated styling, while R for Rough-road running capability and Value for the affordable price, said industry sources.

Hong Kong superstar Jackie Chan endorses the Zinger car

The model, equipped with an advanced Mitsubishi Mivec engine widely used in Mitsubishi Evo and Pajero, is expected to attract many Chinese customers. An early survey conducted by Southeast Motor showed that Chinese consumers buying RVs have two groups, fifty-fifty for work and for life. Then the Mitsubishi Zinger has come out to meet both work and family demands.

Also today, Southeast Motor launched its self-developed compact sedan V3 Lingyue, priced at 59,800-70,800 yuan. The new model, also fitted with the Mitsubishi Mivec engine, will compete with China's domestic brands like Chery A5, BYD F3 and Brilliance Junjie as well as the joint-venture brands such as Lova, Elantra and Cerato made in China.

Founded in 1995, the Fuzhou-based auto maker produces passenger cars and commercial vehicles adopting Mitsubishi-developed platforms. The company is confident about its target of selling 80,500 vehicles in 2008, a rise of 34% from last year. And the roll-out of its new V3 Lingyue and Zinger models is seen as a key step to this goal.