Mitsubishi Motors opens China sales company

Shanghai, April 2 (Gasgoo.com) Mitsubishi Motors launched its China sales company in Shanghai yesterday. This means the Japanese carmaker will be boosting the business of importing its cars to the Chinese market, xinhuanet.com reported.

Mitsubishi Motors' sales company in China, jointly formed with Mitsubishi Corp with a capital of 3 billion yen ($30.45 million), now has 84 dealerships, which are selling Grandis, Lancer, Pajero, Eclipse and other two imported models.

The company will be responsible for boosting the import of Mitsubishi cars to China and their sale in the country, in place of Mitsubishi Corporation (China) Co., Ltd., which has been engaged in the businesses since 2005.

The parent companies -- Mitsubishi Motors and Mitsubishi Corp -- have transferred more of their workforce to the new sales company to strengthen the sales power and connection with local dealers as well as improve after-sales services.

The imports of Mitsubishi cars to China have grown rapidly in recent years, from 4,000 units in 2006 to 14,000 units in 2008. Although its sales growth slowed last year, Mitsubishi Motors said the Chinese market for imported cars is expected to grow further.

Fujian Southeast Motor, a joint venture of Fujian Motor Industry Group and Mitsubishi Motor Corp, started in November 20, 2008 to sell the China-made new MPV model the Mitsubishi Zinger.