Dude the economy and gas prices do factor in, take a look at the foreclosures setting every where, how will people even finance a car after loosing a home, they can't! Mitsu is fine just we have to let this topic die, people will argue this until there's no end. Mitsu makes the only production truck in Japan, not to mention the same truck (Triton) makes up for over 40% of trucks being sold in the UK. Many things could be at play here, but remember the longer we keep these threads going, the more we'll push newcomers away! This will be my last post on these topics, LONG LIVE MITSUBISHI.

 

Is it Mitsubishi Motors the most dominant vehicle manufacturer in the world?

 

So, you say the other thread has too much misinformation...so you start another thread with even more misinformation You have to stop drinking the Mitsu kool-aid

Here are the facts that will hopefully clear this up.

Mitsu US sales over the past few years:
2004 = 161,609
2005 = 123,995
2006 = 118,558
2007 = 128,993

During those years, some vehicles did much better than others:
1) The Lancer sold 41,706 units in 2004. For 2007 (with the new redesign) they still only sold 31,376 units. Not a good thing for a totally redesigned car that is much better than the old model.

2) The Eclipse has done extremely well after it's redesign. The old model sold only 12,012 in 2004 and in 2007 the new model sold 20,154.

3) The Galant sold 43,491 units in 2004 and a mere 26,491 in 2007.

4) The Outlander has done well since it's redesign. in 2006 it sold only 11,493 and in 2007 the new model sold 23,285.

5) The Endeavor has struggled mightily. 22,433 units in 2004 and a deadly 11,886 in 2007.

6) The Raider has grown in sales every year since being introduced.

So, history shows that sedan sales for Mitsu have been declining for the most part. One SUV has done quite well and one has been on the decline.

Back to April 2008. The entire auto industry in the US was down -6.8% and Mitsu was down -26.3%. Being 4 times worse than the industry is not very good.

If you take the first 4 months of 2008. The entire auto industry in the US was down -7.7% while Mitsu was down -17.7%. Once again, far outpacing the industry and going in the wrong direction.

Why is Mitsu falling at a rate much faster than the industry as a whole? Many other competing brands are doing just fine...for example:

Brand = April 2008 / 2008 YTD
Mitsu = -26.3% / -17.7% (both measures are right down at the bottom of the industry)
Hyundai & Kia = +6.5% / -4.1%
Mazda = +12.8% / +1.3%
Suzuki = +5.3% / -2.4%
Nissan = +6.7% / -1.3%
Toyota = +3.4% / -3.3%
Honda/Acura = +6.8% / +1.5%
Subaru = +21.7% / +1.6%

Finally, days supply is a critical factor in seeing the sale rate for a brand. Days supply is the number of days a car, on average, remains on a dealers lot before it is sold. A brand is healthy if their days supply is below 50. Current industry average for 2008 is 64 days. Mitsu is currently at 80 days. That's the 3rd worst days supply in the industry (behind Isuzu and VW/Audi). So, Mitsubishi dealerships, on average, have more cars in inventory on their lots than nearly every other brand. Nothing funky going on with production as you've suggested.

So, if other brands are doing OK (some increasing sales) and Mitsu is falling at a much faster rate than the industry...why are there any questions about Mitsu struggling? Consumers make their choices with their wallets...and Mitsu is becoming less and less a choice. Has been the trend for several years and will continue to be the trend until Mitsu comes out with better products and better service.

Let's stick to the facts instead of emotional craziness next time

 

^^^ well put..

 

+1

waiting for additional rebates on the leftover 08 X to kick in, next few weeks or so

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/01/b...rs-april-2008/

Looks like a lot of companies haven't been doing so hot...

 

Mitsu is struggling but i dont think they are going anywhere. They are turning around slightly but it will take some years before they are back up and running. They are no where near as bad as isuzu when they departed. It just take time and they made mistakes in late 90s to the begining of 2000s that set them back years. Or we could be talking about a bigger sales giant.
Dont be surprised if in 10 years they are back and healthy and partnered with another company to help with saving money and have more products.
They just need to bring over the Colt and trucks and the new electric car to help with Gas MPG average and for a more well rounded lineup.
Mitsu is selling more around the world now then the USA but it will slowly change if and when the economy gets better too.
Sorry for the long post.

 

Lie everyone is saying......... It's gas prices that's driving down the sales... Not only mitsu is going through this.

Why so concerned about mitsu sales anyway?

 

then maybe you should trade in your civic for the evo x and you wont have that problem! BURN! sorry but i see civics everywhere and i have not yet seen another evo x on the road other then mine