Mitsubishi is on a dwindling note at Indian shores, but it seems the carmaker to be enjoying the heydays in the European continent. The month of October is said to mark the brands 40th Anniversary in Europe.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation initiated selling the cars in Europe since the October 1974, when their first car went on the display at London Motor Show. But there we also got to know the organization was present in Europe since 1956 and was selling cars in Spain and Greece. Don’t be confused; know more about the brand here in the following bullets:
Mitsubishi European Milestones
1956: First Mitsubishi vehicles are sold in Europe (Spain) followed by Greece in 1962
1970: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) is established further to an agreement between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Co. and Chrysler Corporation
1974: MMC is allowed by Chrysler to sell in Europe under its own name:
- August: first Distribution agreement (Belgium & Luxemburg), followed by The Netherlands and The United Kingdom
- October: European public introduction @ Earls Court London Motor Show
1975: Start of sales in those three countries (Lancer and Galant)
1977: First Liaison Office (Rotterdam, The Netherlands):
First Rally victory in Europe (Lancer – class win @ 1000 Lakes Rally)
1982: End of distribution agreement with Chrysler International S.A.
1985: Liaison office moves to Frankfurt (Germany)
1989: European R&D Centre opens near Frankfurt (Germany)
1991: Start of operations in Russia
1993: European Sales & Marketing HQ (“MMSE”) opens near Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
1995: Introduction of Carisma, MMC’s first European specific product (platform shared with Volvo – manufactured at NedCar)
2001: Mitsubishi Motors acquires 100% of NedCar
2004: Introduction of Europe-only Colt (platform shared with DaimlerChrysler – manufactured at NedCar)
Colt is awarded with “Das Goldene Lenkrad” (Golden Steering Wheel) by the German Sunday newspaper “Bild am Sonntag,” published
by Axel Springer AG
2005: First collaborative partnership with PSA Peugeot Citroën (2nd generation Outlander-based Peugeot 4007 and Citroën C-Crosser)
2007: Russia becomes a stand-alone region, split from Mitsubishi Motors Europe
2009: Mitsubishi Motors Europe’s restructuring
2010: Start of production at Kaluga plant in Russia (“PCMA Rus” a 70% PSA – 30% MMC joint venture) [3]
European market introduction of i-MiEV, 100% electric urban runabout
2012: NedCar sold to VDL Groep B.V. for symbolic € 1,00 (with guarantee for preservation of employment)
MMC takes 9% of its Russian Distributor (later renamed “”MMC Rus” in May 2013)
2013: First European market introduction of Outlander PHEV, plug-in hybrid electric crossover
Mitsubishi Motors Europe moves to a new HQ building near Maastricht
2014: Return to profit in Europe forecasted (FY13).