China-made Mitsubishi Zinger MPV goes on sale

Shanghai, November 21 (Gasgoo.com) Fujian Southeast Motor, a joint venture of Fujian Motor Industry Group and Mitsubishi Motor Corp, has started this week to sell its new MPV model the Mitsubishi Zinger, said xinhuanet.com yesterday. The new "MICS-RV"-positioned model is finally priced between 136,800 yuan ($20,030) and 179,800 yuan for the Chinese market.

The Mitsubishi Zinger being showcased at the Guangzhou auto show has the Classic, Luxury and Flagship versions available for ordering now. The luxury edition will come with both the automatic and manual options, while the classic and flagship versions will offer the manual option and automatic option respectively. The Mitsubishi Zinger developed and made by Fujian Southeast Motor rolled off line on October 23. 

A model designed to meet the demands from Asian consumers, the Mitsubishi Zinger 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.

The China-made Zinger, 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 the work and family demands.

Founded in 1995, the Fuzhou-based automaker 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 34% rise from last year. And the launch of its new V3 Lingyue and Zinger models is seen as a key step to this goal.