Mitsubishi to import global small car to China next year

Shanghai, July 13 (Gasgoo.com) Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi Motors is in the middle of developing a global small car that is expected to be imported to China next year, Mitsubishi President and COO Osamu Masuko said last week.


This global small car, with lower emissions, will continue to serve as a strategic product for Mitsubishi to expand its small car market in China after launching its ASX compact SUV in August this year.

Reportedly, Mitsubishi has recently launched a "global strategic small car" project. The" Globe small" will be the company's first strategic small car for the global market, and China, now the world's largest auto market, will certainly become the company's top priority.

As a follow-up to Mitsubishi Colt, the "Globe small", which features the 1.0L-1.2L 3 cylinder engines, has a smaller size and lower emissions, Osamu Masuko said. The "Globe small" will initially be produced in Thailand and then be introduced to China for local production, to rival the Nissan March there.

South East Motor, one of Mitsubishi's Chinese joint ventures, is likely to manufacture the "Globe small", Chinese media said. However, Osamu Masuko said the company has not yet decided which joint ventures to choose.

At present, Mitsubishi has two joint ventures in China--- South East Motor (SEM) and GAC Changfeng Motor, now a subsidiary of Guangzhou Auto. Recent sources said the Japanese carmaker is currently trying to establish a 50-50 joint venture with a new partner in China.

Mitsubishi Motors aims to sell 180,000 vehicles this year in China and 300,000 units by 2015.