Baby SUV set to build Mitsubishi stocks

A new mini crossover with a diesel engine option will help Mitsubishi grow sales in the small and light car ranks Down Under.

Speaking at the launch of the MY10 Triton last week, Mitsubishi Australia boss, Rob McEniry, characterised the new sub-Outlander SUV as an important entrant in the local market for the brand. He confirmed the car was a starter for Australia and commented that it would assist the brand in growing sales at the small end of town.

Mitsubishi's light car baton is currently carried by the relatively unloved Colt. Almost a mini-MPV in proportions, the Colt has struggled to win sales Down Under. With less than 1250 local sales YTD, it has been outsold almost two to one this year by Ford's Fiesta, while the segment 'boss', Toyota's Yaris, has logged better than 16,000 sales in the same period.

The most recent facelift of the car -- grafting an Evo style nose to the hatch -- could have lent some impetus; however, it is a Euro-only change. Australian Colts are sourced from Japan.

"The Euro [dollar exchange rate] doesn't work for us," McEniry told the Carsales Network.

"There will be some changes to it [the Japanese-built Colt] -- for fuel efficiency and CO2 with some engine updates -- [But] Colt will not be replaced for a couple of years," he revealed.

"Its replacement will be a global car, so it will have to meet every market requirement -- Europe in particular -- so it will be a good jigger..." he opined.

"It's a segment we want to be in. We've got to play there, it's the second fastest growing [local] segment. [So] We've got another few products coming out over the next six or nine months that will help fill in the gaps for us," he stated.

With Australia's love affair with high-riders set to continue, the main contributor is likely to be the new baby SUV. The vehicle, based on the Concept cX concept shown at Frankfurt two years ago, will arrive Down Under in the first half of 2010, according to McEniry.

It's not clear whether the vehicle will be offered in three or five-door form.

Featuring Mitsubishi's EVO-inspired front-end styling the Colt desperately needs, the yet to be named SUV is expected to be unveiled in production form at October's Tokyo Motor Show.

It could have a market to itself Down Under. In concept form at least, Mitsubishi has pointed to flex fuel (E85) capability for its petrol engine options. As noted above, a diesel powertrain option has also been confirmed.

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