this time next year we should be on a new production year

 

exactly....so we'll have been through one whole cycle...and will know what Mitsu is doing with the Evo stateside.

 

i do beleive they will bring over as many as they can build

 

Where do you get that? The US is getting 4500 cars.... that's a hard set number.

 

Where did you get that 4500 is a hard set number? I've only heard that referenced as a "projected sales" number not a limit. I think (IMHO) they will build as many as they can.

The biggest limiting factor on number of cars per year is the development process for these cars, which is lengthy and involved. I think this is fairly common knowledge right?

If that's the case, then I would logically expect to see small numbers of cars trickling in as they are built throughout the year. They aren't going to build until June, then stop building for the year are they? That wouldn't make any sense to me.

Keep in mind I have nothing to back this up but logic and my own subjective opinion...

That and I have seen no language in any communications from Mitsubishi that indicates any intention of limiting the availability of the US EVO, below what they have the capacity to deliver. If anyone has something from that says something along these lines, I'd like to see it posted here.

 

I agree ScoobyBoost, you would think Mitsu would want to sell as many as possible. It's not like people are going to wait around for a new 2004 inventory. Remember, there's always the threat of losing potential customers to Subaru because of lack of inventory. With the STI and the newly redesigned WRX comming out soon, that's a real possibility. I think Mitsu's going to keep pumping them out as they feel demand calls for.

In that unveiling video they clearly stated that they want to sell as many as possible.

Rob

 

According to the US Census and the Japanese Census the Japanese population is 127 million and the US is 281 million. Now how does 127 divide into 281 by 6???

I have a feeling the inventory situation will be much like the 1st year for the WRX, crazy mark ups for the 1st half of production. Then stabilized and eventually Mitsubishi realizing they can sell more units than expected and increasing production. I'm more curious to know when they will hit showrooms. i'm hearing Job 1 won't start until March.

 

I don't understand how everyone keeps forgetting that this car has and always will be a LIMITED PRODUCTION CAR!

Evolutions throughout the world since the inception in '92 have been a limited production car. The car coming to the US will be no different. Pierre said at the launch that the number for the US will be 4500. Did everyone forget already?

This is not going to be another WRX. This is a limited production car, designed for a small market. If they sell them all, that's all there will be. Same as how it's been in the rest of the world.

 

You are overlooking the fact that unlike the JDM EVO's prior, this car is not built by RalliArt. This is built by MMC and also spear heads wider international distribution of the EVO name plate. With this in mind it has been designed to be produced at greater efficiency than the "build to order" EVO's previously available in Japan and as grey market imports (UK and Euro EVO's sold by mitsubishi are technically grey market cars) elsewhere.

 

The Evo was never MADE by Ralliart, only modified. Mitsubishi has always been the one to determine that the Evo was a limited production car. Previous Evo's were not a built to order either, they came in a couple variations and that's it.

 

sorry..i didn't realize the Japanese population was so large...but its a little over 2 times

thanks for the correction

 

if they only produce 4500ish cars and they sell out by the time the Sti rolls around they will lose alot of sales

 

At the current rate of delivery, it may take until late Summer before all 4500 cars make it to the US! They may all be spoken for well before that though. If you do some rough math, 4500/50 states means that there will be an average of 90 cars per state. If there are roughly 10 dealers per state, that means 9 cars per dealership. If there are about 20 per state then that number drops to around 5 cars per dealer. So if your 'average' dealership pre-sells/sells between 5 and 10 Evos, that's it for this years allotment

I've factory ordered several cars in the past and normally the factory stops production for retooling at the end of the model year (typically around July/August). You can't order any cars during this time which lasts around 3 or more months depending upon the new model year changes. Best case? starts production for the 2004 MY this Fall and begins shipping before the years end, Nov-Dec.

One indicator that may help guage how far is on their production is by keeping an eye out for the 'small spoiler' Evos. According to their marketing info (check out the evo8.zip at http://www.pipeline.com/~shvetsoff/) they expect 100% of the initial Evo shipment to be large spoiler Evos. The "first year" shipments will then be a mix of sunroof/spoiler combos. Who knows how many Evos are in the first shipment but when the small spoilers start to appear, you'll know that things are moving along.

 

In Japan I can walk into a dealer and order my EVO, WRX, ITR, you name it. They don't typically stock those types of cars at dealers. You order your color, etc.. Then they build it and you have it in 3-5 weeks. Again these are build to order. Have you been to a Japanese dealership? The 3 times I have been to Japan i have gone to atleast 2 dealers each time. Most dealers in Tokyo have about 5-8 cars in inventory. The biggest dealership I went to in Kansai had 20 cars. 2 of which were GT-R's. The rest were Glorias and other main line cars. Same thing with the Subaru and Mitsu dealers I have been to.

The factory that assembles the EVO 4-7 was operated by RalliArt Japan in the same way STi oversees the production of all STi models. The plants are owned by their parent companies but design and operation are done by the subsidiary.

With the US and Euro spec EVO 8's all duties fell on MMC, including design and full manufacturing.

 

Who really knows what they'll do. I've heard Pierre Gagnon himself say everything from 4500 all the way up to 6000. Personally, I don't think they'll sell 6000 Evo's that quick to even worry about making more for this year. The model year production will end around August and production for the '04 will start. 6000 cars is alot to sell for such a specific narrow market the Evo will grab. Keep in mind the Wrx is cheaper and easier for most people to obtain. The Evo will be more expensive and more radical (not as good a daily driver with it's harsh suspension etc.) meaning it will be selling to pure car enthusiasts..not just someone wanting a nice little turbo 4dr. car