Um....yea.

All anyone has to do is go test drive a new Galant and see how absolutely a failure it is to drive.

 

maybe if their most mainstream and famous car, the eclipse, didn't currently suck ***.. and their designs weren't looking like pontiac rejects, and sleeker and more well-balanced... or they hit a section of performance that simply doesn't exist in the us.. a lightweight, sleek, sexy, rear wheel drive coupe with about 220-240 hp for 23k-25k (ala 240sx/silvia)... then that'd be quite a niche, since i can't think of another car currently out that fits that mold....

but then, i may just be crazy.

and the new concept eclipse looks god-awful.

 

That is crazy. People (enough to keep Mitsu alive) won't buy that car. Us hard-core performance enthusiasts are an overwhelming minority when it comes to moving units. Need proof? How many 03 Evo's are sitting on your local dealers lot? 4 here, sitting since October.

It's the same reason Evo's aren't selling well anymore, and the turbo'd DSM's went away - niche cars don't build profitable companies - unless you're Ferrari. Hell, even Porsche felt the need to enter the SUV market. If I was DC the first thing I would do is dump the Evo and Diamante, fix the Galant, and pray that the Lancer saves the company. They've already made obvious changes to their marketing strategy (seen the new Galant commercial?), hopefully it's not too little too late.

 

Mitsubishi knows how to get customers in the door, but they get them in there for the wrong reason.

Yes, we all know about the insane rate in which folks defaulted on those 0% deferred financing deals. Mitsubishi was the first to offer it, and did it aggressively, and most of those were for the very heavily marketed Eclipse.

Hate it as some of you may, but without the Eclipse, MMNA's numbers wouldn't be far off from the numbers Audi is pushing. Keep in mind that if Audi sold 100,000 cars in the US in a year, their management would be dancing in the street.

----- -----

Also, hate to say it, but Mitsu is still definitely a Tier 2 manufacturer. Hyundai/Kia seriously is about on the same level at Mitsubishi now in terms of overall quality, like it or not. Mitsubishi was the LAST choice on my list when getting a car when I was 19. Except that they were the only dealership that gave me fair value for my trade, and didn't try to stiff me. For the record, this was before the 0% financing days too.

The only thing keeping me in the MMNA camp is the possibility of an Evolution MR before December 27th, 2004 (lease expiration). A car with track with prowess rivaling exotics for the mid-30s is a steal. Yet if it doesn't come, I'll end up in something very high-revving (S2000, or a turbo RX-8 if one comes for some odd reason), or a V8 Audi.

And as much as I'd never touch a Korean car, you have to give Hyundai/Kia from going from nearly the butt of every joke, to actually something fairly good for the price.

----- -----

Car companies can restructure. Nissan is a real example, with in the late 90s, the only respectable car they had was the Maxima, with nearly everything else being very humdrum. Things were reliable, but below par for a Tier 1.

In less recent times, Audi. Heck, the whole company had just about had it due to questionable quality, and some false PR from hell. Nowadays, a fair number of roundel buyers are shifting to the four-ringed camp, and even the critics are agreeing that Audi is now a true german luxury marque -- especially with Bangle somewhat bungling the restyling of the 5 and 7 and that nuisance that is called iDrive (though MMI isn't much better...)

Chrysler, though never really in trouble, has had quite the shakeup as well, with only the Sebring being a relic of the past. The Crossfire, 300C, T&C, and Pacifica are solid cars for the buck, if they've managed to eliminate the quality gremlins they've always been known for.

----- -----

MMNA can pull out, but they just need to do something different and do it absurdly well. Nissan went with bold styling, more room, and more power. Audi went with bauhaus looks, and arguably best-in-class interiors for a lower price. MMNA just needs to find what... though fixing the relatively low-grade interiors would be a good start.

 

All of those manufacturers, Nissan, Audi, Kia, Hyundai all had one thing in common. much improved customer care. - better warranties, helps percieved quality. Better treatment - maintenece included, loaner cars. If a man, has to increase prices $250 for each car and treat customers properly, it's a win/win. Most customers don't come in to dealerships, but if 20% return for service/warranty work and you have a fund set aside to ensure they are treated like royalty, the problem becomes a positive.

Customer Care is the biggest shortcoming.
The lancer lineup looks well rounded, catering to many lower end folks. Wagon/Sedan with Ralliart options. Evo is rounding out with RS, GSR, and MR models.. But people dropping $25K+ on a car expect certain appreciation for their business. Mitsu is not showing much thanks right now. That gratitude goes a LONG way in perception, retention, and word of mouth..

 

I'll agree, although with one glaring exception, my dealership has actually been outstanding. Offering to pick up and drop off the car for oil changes, loaners, free car washes (which if it was a touchless, I would gladly take), etc.

----- ----- -----

Customer service is a big facet to me, and for me, COMPLETELY makes or breaks a deal. A Toyota dealership which handled my parents for 20 years didn't get my business since they failed to do the common courtesy of returning phone calls. A VW dealership had an attitude so appalling I filed a format complaint against VWNA and I actually received numerous phone calls from regional apologizing profusely. I had sealed the deal on an IS300 via e-mail, though after the person answering the phone couldn't be bothered to give me directions to the dealership and some guff to boot, so when I did finally get there, I ripped up my downpayment check in front of the GM.

Now, those were horror stories. Granted, no one believed a "kid" was looking to drop $30K on a car at the time either. Mitsubishi on the other hand gave me $800 more than I wanted for my truck, let me test drive the car for 45 minutes allowing me to go on whatever poorly maintained road I wanted, didn't push, didn't try to inflate the money factor, and treated me with respect. Needless to say, they got my dollar on that alone.

Right now I'm more dealer shopping than car shopping. I like the S2000, but out of 6 dealerships, I only found one that'd I'd even give my money for a $700 15-year old Civic. There's only place that'd get my cash for an SRT-6. 350Z is right out since I don't like the dealerships. As is any BMW dealership within 60 miles. It's a 40-minute drive to get great Audi service. I'll say this, I'm still to find a Mercedes dealership that doesn't treat me well. Yet Mitsu has the homefield advantage with incentives, the possibility of the MR, and a whopping 3-minute drive if I need to get parts.

----- ----- -----

However, I know my Mitsu experience is rare. If I go to any other dealership nearby I get jerked around, or they attempt to push me into a product.

I've already expressed my concern to the GM about the MR. He's been very open about issues they've had servicing Evolutions, how many they service, what techs service them, etc. I give him credit that he admits there could be expensive problems. I doubt any other dealership would say anything but what'd it take to get me to drive home.

I think I drove off road for a bit, but I think I made my point. Maybe for some folks they can deal with bad customer service, but for those of us who care, it's a huge deal, and historically is one of Mitsu's larger faults.

 

Yep.. nothing can beat having a problem turn into a happy experience.. and almost nothing can undo a problem becoming a nightmare experience..

You get much further with sugar than vinegar!

 

I think Mitsu screwed themselves when they sponsored Too Fast Too Furious. They attracted their desired customer base then screw themsleves by selling to those customers. Most of them were probably in their teens and still in their riceboy stages. Not to mention most of them can't even afford an Eclipse. Mistu would be doing ok right now if it wasn't for their 0% deals.

Improving customer service would also have helped a lot! Sure...treat them nice while they're buying the car but F*** them over after something goes wrong...that's a great way to keep customers Spying on Evo owners isn't exactly customer care either Hopefully DC would fix this and keep Mitsu going.

Hopefully there's gonna be more Evo's in the future as well..............................

HOPE YOU'RE READING THIS MITSU. YOU'RE CUSTOMERS DON'T LIKE YOU. FIX YOURSELF UP OR ELSE YOU'RE SCREWED...............

 

I already doubted the MR was coming and now its even more unlikely so dont hold your breath

 

I don't get it. You're holding out for an MR...but if it doesn't become available you'll go for an S2000

Why not just get the Evo?

Emre

 

From a global perspective, has a line-up that is competetive in both quality and performance (not class leading, but competetive).
's problems differ by geographic region.
In Europe it was a lack of *new* and attractive (in terms of styling) models (being rectified right now with new launches like Outlander, Colt and Grandis).
In Japan, it's the tarnished brand image... no change there as of yet and (again) the lack of *new* models (Colt and Grandis are doing quite well, but the rest of the line-up is lagging).
In the U.S., has a consumer perception problem (quality and performance). The USDM Galant and Eclipse are the two top sellers for the company, they are also the two worst built 's on American roads (though the 9G Galant and Endeavor ares an improvement in build quality). This is what results in the low J.D Power scores.
As many have mentioned, there is also a customer service problem. A lot of that is actually Dealer service, which leads into dealer oversight by MMNA (of which there is apparently none...)

On April 30th the restructuring plan will be announced and should provide some insight as to the direction will take.
Thus, there is a lot of speculation out there (some of the worst of it coming from Japanese newspapers)
has to be aggressive in establishing a true brand identity. The Evo has been the model of choice to do that, since it has such global clout. Therefore, IMHO, I see the EVO MR as having a good chance of making it to the U.S.

 

Noway the MR is coming, california is the only state that seems to be able to sell the 03 evos then the 04s are coming and the RS there just isnt enough people to support that many models of a car that dosent really sell that well expect a few states and most of the acctual enthusiests bought the 03

 

04 will be the last EVO in the States