Trition was the standout performer, posting a sales record for April with 1,840 units across 4×4 and 4×2 models. The Triton 4×4 product line proved popular with 1,245 units, an exceptional growth of 80 percent from April 2010, 14 times greater than the segment growth of 5.7 percent.
Challenger recorded outstanding growth despite a 19.5 percent downturn in the medium SUV segment, posting a 59 percent improvement over April 2010.
Lancer recorded a solid month with 1,468 units while the ASX continues to grow with 477 units.
MMAL continued the all-time records with year-to-date figures of 20,592 for imported vehicle sales in the January to April period, a notable six percent increase on 2010. This increase was in contrast to the total market volume which fell 3.2 percent for the same period.
Vice president of sales, Anthony Casey said he was pleased with the positive sales results for April 2011.
“Mitsubishi ended April with solid sales across the board. Our sales are continuing to build on a consistent basis, proving that our product range meets customer’s needs,” said Casey.
1. Performance overview
Mitsubishi Motors posted consolidated net sales of 1,310.9 billion yen for the first three quarters of fiscal 2010 (April 1 through December 31, 2010), a 38 per cent or 358.8 billion yen increase over the same period last fiscal year. Countering the negative impact of the appreciation of the yen, this increase was driven by higher unit sales volume stemming from a recovery in the market and the introduction of new models.
Mitsubishi Motors posted an operating profit of 13.0 billion yen, an improvement of 32.8 billion yen over the same period last fiscal year. The increase in sales volume together with factors such as reductions in material and other costs more than countered the negative impact of the higher yen.
Mitsubishi Motors posted an ordinary profit of 11.4 billion yen, an improvement of 32.6 billion yen, and posted a net loss of 2.2 billion yen, an improvement of 23.5 billion yen over the same period last fiscal year.
2. Sales volume
Global retail sales volume for the first three quarters of fiscal 2010 totalled 807,000 vehicles, an increase of 17 percent or 118,000 units over the same period last year. Sales volumes by region were as follows:
In Japan, Mitsubishi Motors posted total sales volume of 119,000 vehicles, an increase of five per cent or 5,000 units over the same period last year. This increase came despite a decline in year-on-year third quarter sales volume as market demand fell due to the ending of eco-car incentives at the end of September.
In North America, the launch of the new Outlander Sport* in October helped Mitsubishi Motors to post a year-on-year sales volume increase in the United States, but the volume for the region as a whole remained at 66,000 vehicles, on a level with the same period last year.
In Europe, Mitsubishi Motors posted a sales volume of 158,000 vehicles, an increase of 20 per cent or 27,000 units over the same period last year. Factors contributing to this increase include continuing strong sales of the ASX* introduced sequentially into markets from June and a rise in sales in Russia where the company has started local production of the Outlander.
In Asia and Other Regions, Mitsubishi Motors posted a sales volume of 464,000 vehicles, an increase of 23 per cent or 86,000 units over the same period last year. The increase has been driven by China, where total demand continues to grow, by higher sales in major ASEAN bloc countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines and by growing sales in Brazil, the largest market in Latin America.
* RVR in Japan
3. Fiscal 2010 full-year forecasts
After a careful review in the light of the results for the first three quarters and recent market trends, notwithstanding increases and decreases in some regions Mitsubishi Motors has decided to keep its overall 2010 full-year sales volume plan of 1,124,000 units published on October 28, 2010 unchanged. The company has also decided to leave its full-year forecasts (net sales of 1.9 trillion yen, operating profit of 45 billion yen, ordinary profit of 30 billion yen and net profit of 15 billion yen) published at the beginning of fiscal 2010 unchanged.
Driving in and around Brisbane, is where we regularly drive the V6-powered Outlander, and it’s little brother the fuel efficient 4 cylinder. We’re in the entry-level machine, the five-speed manual LS, which dwells in the bottom half of the $30,000 compact SUV range.
Appearance
There’s no missing this new or used vehicle from the front, as it bears the aggressive snout of the Lancer. It works better on the little passenger car from some angles, however the overall Outlander look is unique and certainly leaves other SUV’s in the dust in terms of design.
The interior hasn’t changed a heap, Mitsubishi folk say there are new materials and new instruments, but there’s no wholesale changes in this Outlander. That’s probably for a reason as I believe they’ve got the design right, a comfortable mix of contemporary Mitsubishi design that doesn’t hurt the eyes
The cabin trim is better, although the cloth trim is a different material to the norm – it’s not an unpleasant place to be, with reasonable amount of storage.
Driving
The Outlander 4 cylinder engine is fuel efficient and has the power required, however its not in need of a leash and a kennel either – there’s some level of flexibility in its lower-end and stirred along with the serviceable five-speed manual the LS can hustle along sealed roads with confidence. If you’re looking for more power, the 6 cylinder is the way to go.
Having not driven the Mitsubishi’s CVT before I was pleasantly surprised after getting used to it how responsive and smooth it can be as the Outlander engine keeps humming at it’s optimum output level. It’s quiet and the ride quality is pretty good, with decent cabin space and a solid feel to the body.
The Outlander LS is competitive in it’s features putting it at the pointy end of the SUV market,
with a standard features list that includes
It’s list price doesn’t make it the cheapest in the segment (for good reason) and the Mitsubishi Outlander squeaks into the top 5 for sales.
Price: from $33,240.
Engine: 2.4-litre MIVEC DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder.
Transmission: five-speed manual or optional CVT automatic, on-demand all-wheel drive.
Power: 125kW @ 6000rpm.
Torque: 226Nm @ 4100rpm.
Fuel consumption: 9.5 litres/100km, tank 60 litres.
Emissions: 227g/km.
Suspension: MacPherson strut coil spring with stabiliser bar (front); Multi-link coil spring with stabiliser bar (rear).
four wheel discs, front ventilated.
Dimensions: length 4665mm, width 1800mm, height 1720mm, wheelbase 2670mm, track fr/rr 1540mm, cargo volume 589/1691litres, weight 1545kg.
Wheels: 16in alloys.
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