SilverBullet
First, lets keep it civil. I don’t think anyone here has their head up their ****. We’re having a discussion and not an argument. Second, do you have numbers that show that the US is only a small part of their total market? I can’t find sale numbers but I did find production numbers from the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturer’s that show that Mitsubishi built 1.4 Million passenger cars in 2002. 685K were built in Japan, 217K were built in Malaysia, US production was 209K and other countries built the rest. Don’t forget they still build the Gallant and Eclipse at the old Diamond Star Motors Plant in Normal, IL.

My point in my last post was that Mitsubishi needed to take closer control of the dealerships, or provide more guidance, and make changes to improve the customer experience. If they want to stay viable in the US they need to step up.

On a personal note, I do enjoy Mitsubishi’s products. I’ve had two. I own an Evo and I had a 1997 Eclipse GS-T.

Best wishes,
f86sabre

 

That's not true - maybe few people YOU know, but I heard plenty about that. And the VW recall.

So really to post your personal experience as fact is rubbish.


Mitsu can be a healthy company when they learn to treat their customers properly and have proper build quality / quality assurance at their factories.

Until then they deserve to flounder for their unhealthy business strategy. Either they will be forced to care about their customers (whether they like it or not) or they can go bankrupt - it's completely up to them.

 

I've never seen a less intelligent comment around here than that one.
I don't think I want to waste my time picking it apart as it should be obvious in-and-of-itself what a joke it is.

Every other car manufacturer in North America cares 100% what their North American dealerships are like - sales, CSI, etc. It is important to them because that is the only experience North American customers will have with that brand name and they want it to be a positive and successful experience.

To act like Mitsu dealerships are somehow removed from Mitsu Corp just furthers the point that they're a joke and not worthy of anyone's money. You just said yourself that you think it's wrong to judge Mitsu on their NA dealerships - and that proves that MitsuMotors NA is a farce because all that should matter to Mitsu regarding North America are its dealerships there.

But you're right - they DON'T care and it shows in their customer service and the (lack of) quality of their products here.

I feel like I'm talking to a 5-year-old here because this is such basic common sense I shouldn't have to type it.

Oh but we're not supposed to judge them by the part of them they have given us to experience? RIIIIIIIIIIGHT
That is EXACTLY how you're supposed to judge them - by what they give you for your money, child.
Every other brand realizes that and has rules/plans/incentives in place to reward dealerships that have high sales and high CSI. Mitsu is the exception to the rule and we are watching them fail due specifically to that lack of concern for their customer.

They just want the money and they aren't getting it without offering a quality product in return. When they shape up, they will see their North American division succeed. Until then they will continue to slide towards collapse.

Btw, it's "renown" / "renowned".

 

Hey JRock,

I have never seen a more condescending post around here than your last. Try arguing you point without the arrogant embellishments.

Speedlimit

 

wow, this good conversation ended fast...

 

Actually, yes. And were you around when The Rainbow Coailition picketed us as well? Remember the sexual harrasment suit in the Mid 90's??

Wow was that uncomfortable..

I can say wthout ANY hesitance that the Mits Product has been the strongest that it has ever been..
And the good news is they are truly trying to head in the right direction..

How's THAT for lightening up this thread, boys.

 

Lovin that statement bro, Glad u posted!
Makes me feel much better

 

IMO has to take a three pronged approach to improve its standing in the U.S.:

1) Generate viable (read: credit worthy) customer showroom traffic through intelligent incentives, good marketing and appealing products.

2) Improve it's image through advertising and better customer service (which includes more stringent Dealership oversight)

3) Be more consumer oriented by making changes to its models quickly (quality improvements to reduce warranty claims/recalls) and provide better service for warranty claims (i.e. only deny claims that REALLY deserve to be denied)

Just my 2 cents

 

I'd agree except his post didn't even deserve the time and effort I gave it.

 

It all starts from the top. CEOs get paid big bucks because they have the ability to shape a corporation's culture. Mitsubishi to be very honest is laughed at due to various problems...which I wont go into here.

I tell people I bought a Mitsubishi and they laugh. I am not joking guys. The perception is that Mitsubishi makes crap cars...and when I shopped around I sat down in one of their 2003 eclipses...man it was aweful. Word of mouth is VERY powerful...just like this thread here on this forum. Why does this thread even exist in a Mitsubishi car club internet site. Shouldn't we all be fans?

If it wasn't for the EVO being such a badass car, I would have gotten a 350z or STi to be very honest. The Evo got me though, and I have no regrets...but the Company is very much looked down upon from the people I know and from what I read.

 

I just want to add something but I want my last comment to stand un-edited.

It would please me to no end if Mitsubishi could turn it around. I love their commercials, both radio and tv, I love the EVO, I love the history of dominating rally racing, I love the fact that a game maker built a computer game in homage to the Evo. I really like the company (they make great TVs too ). To see a turnaround at Mitshubishi would be awesome, and I hope that is the case. I want people to see the EVO and say "Damn thats a Mitsubishi" and not an EVO (at first )

 

I noticed some people mentioned the possibility of a US buy-out...and earlier I saw something very scary...

Mitsu cars (even the Eclipse compare it to the Grand Am/Grand Prix from all sides) are starting to look way too much like Pontiacs these days...

Imagine...a Pontiac Evolution...

 

Karash,
You make some good points. The change needs to start at the top and needs to end at the part-time kid who sweeps the floor at the shop. I too wish Mitsubishi great success. In my opinion, regardless of people liking some of their cars or not, they are a little different from the norm. Verity is the spice of life and cars like the Evo are a spice that I enjoy. I want Mitsubishi to improve. Like you, I would like for people to look on the company the way many people look at Audi, Honda or Toyota. I also want to deal with a company that treats me as if I have some value to them beyond the check I write when I pick up the car. I toowould like people to see my car in 10 years and say, "Damn, that's a Mitsubishi Evolution?" and then follow up with, " They make great cars, where did you get yours?"

I hope no one thinks I started this thread to kick Mitsubishi while they're down. If people want to do that there are several threads in this forum that already focus on that subject. My original post mainly commented on the possibility of more "mature" cars and tougher financing.

Best wishes,
f86sabre

 

This thread is an awareness post in my opinion..

It was started to discuss Mitsu and it's state of the nation in an intelligent manner..

I for one love it.

For once we are discussing things that require a little more thinking then "got an extra 3 RWH from removing my rear view mirror.."



Nobody on this board or this thread should be participating unless they own a Mitsubishi car or truck..and have current experiences with the models and delaers and what not..(just because you bought a Used 1996 Eclipse from a Ford dealership three years ago, doesn't really put you in the know..)

I'm not saying that people CAN'T participate because conversation is all good, but you get my point I hope..


And if the topic was on the EVO specifically, I alwys feel that those that OWN the car, can speak from a better standpoint than those that DON'T..

I hate reading some blowhard dis the EVO or speak out about the RS or MR arrival topic for instance, and isn't even an EVO owner currently..

I hope we all appreciate the brand here..

I know I do..

 

I think Mitsubishi already has the grown up family content. I mean, how juvenile is a Galant, Montero, Lancer, Endeavor or 'Sport anyway? It just so happens that Mitsubishi won the hearts of the "young" croud with the turbos and AWD's of yesteryear being stars of Gran Turismo and such, even the Evo is no child's toy at 30 grand. Our brand awareness is strong with the youth, it is just the credit arm that is going to be more selective about putting people in a car. Cosigners are just about out of the question unless it is a spouse or parent, and even then it is difficult. Many of our customers are already the grown up types, just not old people like toyota or Buick has to deal with.

CSI, SSI and the American market are extremely important to them, but again the bad outweighs the good and gets more press so its hard to shake the stigma. The American market is what put Toyota and Honda on top, that's why so many Japanese companies moved/built factories here.

By having such aggressive sales tactics, desperate to raise market share was a risky move that failed, but it is so easy for all of us to be armchair quarterbacks and say it was stupid move a year later, but if it had paid off and Mitsu was well into its second year of record sales then everybody would be cheering. Mitsu is making more moves towards being better with their used cars offering special financing, so a select certified plan is down the road. New incentives (as well as new penalties) are in place to encourage sales and service employees to raise their CSI/SSI scores, so the ball is in play.