Confirmed by Mitsubishi high offical: Lancer Evolution is no more
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Bad Axe, MI **Welcome 2 HICKTOWN**
Not sure if this was posted, but I thought I would share..
Now this is kind of funny?.....
Found this posted on TGC and Club3G.com.... http://www.twitlonger.com/show/93ftl0
:edit:
Saw that boondoc posted it today along with this....
http://i.autoblog.com/2011/03/03/fol...gn=Feed%253A+w
Sorry.
Now this is kind of funny?.....
Found this posted on TGC and Club3G.com.... http://www.twitlonger.com/show/93ftl0
Originally Posted by Mitsubishi Motors : On Thursday 3rd March 2011, @mitsucars said:
Production of the current Lancer Evolution continues as planned.
As for its successor, regulations and market feedback will dictate its engineering package & architecture.
MMC has kept the Lancer Evolution sedan evolving as the brand's highest performing model in the global market. However, as the market's needs and demands change, MMC is considering not advancing the Lancer Evolution concept in the same way as before, but to find a different direction for the Lancer Evolution model to evolve. The new direction, the technologies involved, and corresponding products will be disclosed in due course.
As for its successor, regulations and market feedback will dictate its engineering package & architecture.
MMC has kept the Lancer Evolution sedan evolving as the brand's highest performing model in the global market. However, as the market's needs and demands change, MMC is considering not advancing the Lancer Evolution concept in the same way as before, but to find a different direction for the Lancer Evolution model to evolve. The new direction, the technologies involved, and corresponding products will be disclosed in due course.
Saw that boondoc posted it today along with this....
http://i.autoblog.com/2011/03/03/fol...gn=Feed%253A+w
Sorry.
Last edited by ICEMAN99TURBO; Mar 3, 2011 at 03:36 PM.
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Posts: 4,312
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From: Birmingham, AL
They uped the price like everybody did. They also made the Evo better. People wanted more amenities and a nicer interior, they got it - they also got more technology in S-AWC and the SST. That stuff can't be given away for free.
Evo is boosting Mitsu's image. I would not even visit a Mitsu dealer if they didn't have an Evo.
If Evo isn't Mitsu's best model, I don't know what is. Please enlighten me. With virtually 0 marketing for the Evo and prices as high as entry level bimmers, Evo's sales are fine.
I never claimed I know Mitsu's financials better than themselves. All I am saying is killing off the Evo is like shooting itself in the foot and I think most people here can agree. I understand the company needs a prius fighter to generate positive PR and I don't mind that but why cancel the Evo? GM didn't cancel Corvette for the Volt. IMHO, Mitsu should improve Galant and regular Lancer and keep the Evo.
If Evo isn't Mitsu's best model, I don't know what is. Please enlighten me. With virtually 0 marketing for the Evo and prices as high as entry level bimmers, Evo's sales are fine.
I never claimed I know Mitsu's financials better than themselves. All I am saying is killing off the Evo is like shooting itself in the foot and I think most people here can agree. I understand the company needs a prius fighter to generate positive PR and I don't mind that but why cancel the Evo? GM didn't cancel Corvette for the Volt. IMHO, Mitsu should improve Galant and regular Lancer and keep the Evo.
1.
If Evo's were boosting Mitsu's Image, you WOULD visit the dealerships for other models
. Flagship niche cars are there for you to buy OTHER models. 2.
How can you possibly claim Evo sales are fine? Ever consider that if sales WERE FINE and the car was PROFITABLE, they'd invest more money on marketing the Evo?? OR maybe that traditional marketing for niche cars is a total waste of money and that your general buyer/tv viewer doesn't give two s***s about the Evo? And spending marketing $$ could just force them to even further over price it?
You really think Mitsubishi doesn't know the ROI on basic advertising on an Evo??
3.
GM didn't cancel the Corvette because it's a cultural icon that's been around for nearly 60 years. The corvette brand has huge amounts of equity. Sorry, but consumers don't know what the hell a Mitsubishi Evolution is. To compare Chevy's situation with the Corvette and Volt, to Mitsubishi's Evo and their aspirations over the next 10 years is soooo terribly over simplified that i'm sorry i even entertained the analogy.
Bottom line (because i don't feel like getting into details): Evo's aren't making money, aren't helping to make money and go against where Mitsubishi wants to be in the near future. I don't feel like talking more about this but this is a great post:
http://www.torquenews.com/106/mitsub...umors-facebook
on a side note people need to stop saying mitsubishi will crumble when they stop making the evo because the evo keeps them a float...its simply not true.
"When thinking of the Mitsubishi Lancer, most car enthusiasts envision a muscular Evolution X charging through a remote mountain pass. While the Evo hogs the spotlight--and the imaginations of car nuts -- it is the humble, less aggressive Lancer that serves as the halo car's foundation and rules the three-diamond's annual sales sheets. In 2010, the base Lancer accounted for 46% of Mitsubishi's total U.S. sales; the Evo only 6%."
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz1FZZKvCd2
on a side note people need to stop saying mitsubishi will crumble when they stop making the evo because the evo keeps them a float...its simply not true.
"When thinking of the Mitsubishi Lancer, most car enthusiasts envision a muscular Evolution X charging through a remote mountain pass. While the Evo hogs the spotlight--and the imaginations of car nuts -- it is the humble, less aggressive Lancer that serves as the halo car's foundation and rules the three-diamond's annual sales sheets. In 2010, the base Lancer accounted for 46% of Mitsubishi's total U.S. sales; the Evo only 6%."
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz1FZZKvCd2
See my post below for more ranting:
Last edited by Carloverx; Mar 3, 2011 at 04:53 PM.
Since we're all throwing guesses out there, here's my overly simplified explanation on
WHY KILLING THE EVO MIGHT BE A SMART BUSINESS MOVE: (even though it sucks for us enthusiasts)
1. YEAR AFTER YEAR Mitsubishi CANNOT compete with bigger brands and it's slowly killing itself. It knows at this rate it will be dead in the next decade.
2. They predict EV and alternative fuel cars are the future. And with gas prices sky rocketing, can you blame them?? (Mitsubishi is probably spending EVO R&D on funding Libyan rebels lol 
)
3. If they heavily focus on EV technology NOW, they can become synonymous for it AND proficient at it before the other manufacturers.
4. So why spend the precious little TIME AND MONEY they have on an Evo - a car that's going to 1. drag down your company's overall MPG (what you're attempting to be known for) ; 2. doesn't remotely appeal to their core demographic?; 3. Isn't profitable; 4. spits in the face of what you're shaping your company image into? etc etc etc?
BONUS: 5. Picture this: it's 2018. Mitsubishi now knows EV better than everyone in the industry. AND GUESS WHAT'S UNDER THAT "2018 Geneva Motor Show" COVER?? DRUMMMM ROOLLLLLLLL SUUCCKKAAAASSSS: An AWD Battery Powered Evo, ripe with 2018 technology that would make Bad Bish's new TQ curve (https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...r-amazing.html) look like someone on a razor scooter ( obviously i'm exaggerating).
Honestly, I don't know. It's just funny to see people think the Evo makes a big difference and that they know what's better for Mitsubishi when it comes to its cancellation lol Gotta think of the bigger picture before you start bashing.
WHY KILLING THE EVO MIGHT BE A SMART BUSINESS MOVE: (even though it sucks for us enthusiasts)
1. YEAR AFTER YEAR Mitsubishi CANNOT compete with bigger brands and it's slowly killing itself. It knows at this rate it will be dead in the next decade.
2. They predict EV and alternative fuel cars are the future. And with gas prices sky rocketing, can you blame them?? (Mitsubishi is probably spending EVO R&D on funding Libyan rebels lol
)3. If they heavily focus on EV technology NOW, they can become synonymous for it AND proficient at it before the other manufacturers.
4. So why spend the precious little TIME AND MONEY they have on an Evo - a car that's going to 1. drag down your company's overall MPG (what you're attempting to be known for) ; 2. doesn't remotely appeal to their core demographic?; 3. Isn't profitable; 4. spits in the face of what you're shaping your company image into? etc etc etc?
BONUS: 5. Picture this: it's 2018. Mitsubishi now knows EV better than everyone in the industry. AND GUESS WHAT'S UNDER THAT "2018 Geneva Motor Show" COVER?? DRUMMMM ROOLLLLLLLL SUUCCKKAAAASSSS: An AWD Battery Powered Evo, ripe with 2018 technology that would make Bad Bish's new TQ curve (https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...r-amazing.html) look like someone on a razor scooter (
obviously i'm exaggerating).Honestly, I don't know. It's just funny to see people think the Evo makes a big difference and that they know what's better for Mitsubishi when it comes to its cancellation lol
Gotta think of the bigger picture before you start bashing.
Last edited by Carloverx; Mar 3, 2011 at 04:52 PM.
To add some facts here and enlighten some people on how dismal it is for Mitsu and the Evo in particular:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...117189488.html
They only sold 165 Evos last month. Compare that to the 6,245 Camaros sold, or the 3,697 Mustangs sold last month. Also realize that the Evo only makes up 2.4% of their sales. Their true bread and butter is the Galant which makes up 47% of their sales.
or how about this: GM sold 153 Cobalts last month, just 12 units shy of the Evo........ GM stopped making Cobalts 9 months ago......
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...117189488.html
MITSUBISHI MOTORS FEBRUARY 2011 SALES
ECLIPSE COUPE 148
ECLIPSE SPYDER 142
GALANT 3245
LANCER 964
LANCER EVOLUTION 165
LANCER SPORTBACK 120
TOTAL CAR
4784
OUTLANDER 629
OUTLANDER SPORT 1290
ENDEAVOR 190
TOTAL SUV
2109
ECLIPSE COUPE 148
ECLIPSE SPYDER 142
GALANT 3245
LANCER 964
LANCER EVOLUTION 165
LANCER SPORTBACK 120
TOTAL CAR
4784
OUTLANDER 629
OUTLANDER SPORT 1290
ENDEAVOR 190
TOTAL SUV
2109
or how about this: GM sold 153 Cobalts last month, just 12 units shy of the Evo........ GM stopped making Cobalts 9 months ago......
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 75
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From: Bad Axe, MI **Welcome 2 HICKTOWN**
To add some facts here and enlighten some people on how dismal it is for Mitsu and the Evo in particular:
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...117189488.html
They only sold 165 Evos last month. Compare that to the 6,245 Camaros sold, or the 3,697 Mustangs sold last month. Also realize that the Evo only makes up 2.4% of their sales. Their true bread and butter is the Galant which makes up 47% of their sales.
or how about this: GM sold 153 Cobalts last month, just 12 units shy of the Evo........ GM stopped making Cobalts 9 months ago......
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...117189488.html
They only sold 165 Evos last month. Compare that to the 6,245 Camaros sold, or the 3,697 Mustangs sold last month. Also realize that the Evo only makes up 2.4% of their sales. Their true bread and butter is the Galant which makes up 47% of their sales.
or how about this: GM sold 153 Cobalts last month, just 12 units shy of the Evo........ GM stopped making Cobalts 9 months ago......
I'm sure the Galants were mostly fleet sales to rental car companies.
Balls of Steel
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 237
Likes: 28
From: Austin
http://www.torquenews.com/106/mitsub...umors-facebook
on a side note people need to stop saying mitsubishi will crumble when they stop making the evo because the evo keeps them a float...its simply not true.
"When thinking of the Mitsubishi Lancer, most car enthusiasts envision a muscular Evolution X charging through a remote mountain pass. While the Evo hogs the spotlight--and the imaginations of car nuts -- it is the humble, less aggressive Lancer that serves as the halo car's foundation and rules the three-diamond's annual sales sheets. In 2010, the base Lancer accounted for 46% of Mitsubishi's total U.S. sales; the Evo only 6%."
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz1FZZKvCd2
on a side note people need to stop saying mitsubishi will crumble when they stop making the evo because the evo keeps them a float...its simply not true.
"When thinking of the Mitsubishi Lancer, most car enthusiasts envision a muscular Evolution X charging through a remote mountain pass. While the Evo hogs the spotlight--and the imaginations of car nuts -- it is the humble, less aggressive Lancer that serves as the halo car's foundation and rules the three-diamond's annual sales sheets. In 2010, the base Lancer accounted for 46% of Mitsubishi's total U.S. sales; the Evo only 6%."
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz1FZZKvCd2
Shoot, just take a look at the Lancer forums on here. "Will ____ from an Evo fit my car?" is one of the most common questions.
IIRC, many of the high-performance halo cars seem to be sold at a loss, so I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case for Mitsubishi and the Evo. Then again, those are also the models that get companies attention in TV shows/blogs/movies/magazines/etc./etc. I would argue that Mitsubishi does profit some from the Evo, but it's in a less direct manner than actual Evo sales.
Mitsubishi doesn't make any money off concepts, either, but they continue to make those. Why? Because they show what the company can do, and thus, they're good PR. I think the Evo is a similar case and they should keep it, partially because it shows Mitsubishi in a great light in almost every review I see of it.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5
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From: Minnesota
Save the EVO
My fellow Lancer/Evo owners, Please sign this petition and also add this cause and help us save the Evo!
Petition:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/mod_pe...ned.cgi?EvoX&1
Cause:
http://www.causes.com/causes/586696-...r_id=170171819
Thank you to all who join us to keep this Legend alive!
Petition:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/mod_pe...ned.cgi?EvoX&1
Cause:
http://www.causes.com/causes/586696-...r_id=170171819
Thank you to all who join us to keep this Legend alive!
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 31
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From: Shanghai
Ok, so when Nissan killed the Skyline GT-R, they were in a rut, but they brought in an extremely smart, charismatic and capable CEO, who managed to turn the brand around, yet it was also he that pushed for the development of the new GTR.
When toyota killed all its sports cars, it became the non-car enthusiast brand of choice because of great reliability, good service and an early push into hybrid technology. (flawed though it is, it sold) And even they are wanting to bring back at least one driver's car into the lineup.
When Mitsubishi kills off the evo it has...
...
...
...
...
*crickets*
...
...
...
...
We put up with the patchy build quality, expensive parts and often shoddy service, because we love our cars so much. The Evo in some ways is a technological and engineering masterpiece that really shows off what the brand can do at its best. Now I'll admit it's a car with a very limited market as by the time they can afford one, quite a few people may be getting a little too old to put up with the lack of refinement or brand snob appeal.
But I refuse to believe that it doesn't seriously impact sales of the lancer or even galant because of its reflected glory. Ask any kid under 25 who plays videogames (even here in China) and he knows what an evo is. It is going to impact his impression of how cool Mitsubishi is as a brand. People walk up to me and start wanting to talk about my car and then comment on how it seems, yeah, Mitsubishi they really know their stuff. And frankly they've spent all that money on developing the Evo X, they could still manage 2 or so facelifts out of that and keep it as a brand icon without breaking the bank.
Trying to rebrand themselves as the brown rice eco-brand is not going to work. They are behind both on tech and marketing, to the point where I don't see them catching up. As Jeremy Clarkson pointed out in the TG magazine recently "Only the evo stands out from their dismal range of nothingness", their brand is allmost worthless without it.
When toyota killed all its sports cars, it became the non-car enthusiast brand of choice because of great reliability, good service and an early push into hybrid technology. (flawed though it is, it sold) And even they are wanting to bring back at least one driver's car into the lineup.
When Mitsubishi kills off the evo it has...
...
...
...
...
*crickets*
...
...
...
...
We put up with the patchy build quality, expensive parts and often shoddy service, because we love our cars so much. The Evo in some ways is a technological and engineering masterpiece that really shows off what the brand can do at its best. Now I'll admit it's a car with a very limited market as by the time they can afford one, quite a few people may be getting a little too old to put up with the lack of refinement or brand snob appeal.
But I refuse to believe that it doesn't seriously impact sales of the lancer or even galant because of its reflected glory. Ask any kid under 25 who plays videogames (even here in China) and he knows what an evo is. It is going to impact his impression of how cool Mitsubishi is as a brand. People walk up to me and start wanting to talk about my car and then comment on how it seems, yeah, Mitsubishi they really know their stuff. And frankly they've spent all that money on developing the Evo X, they could still manage 2 or so facelifts out of that and keep it as a brand icon without breaking the bank.
Trying to rebrand themselves as the brown rice eco-brand is not going to work. They are behind both on tech and marketing, to the point where I don't see them catching up. As Jeremy Clarkson pointed out in the TG magazine recently "Only the evo stands out from their dismal range of nothingness", their brand is allmost worthless without it.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
My fellow Lancer/Evo owners, Please sign this petition and also add this cause and help us save the Evo!
Petition:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/mod_pe...ned.cgi?EvoX&1
Cause:
http://www.causes.com/causes/586696-...r_id=170171819
Thank you to all who join us to keep this Legend alive!
Petition:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/mod_pe...ned.cgi?EvoX&1
Cause:
http://www.causes.com/causes/586696-...r_id=170171819
Thank you to all who join us to keep this Legend alive!