Last 380 rolls off the line

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited is officially a full line importer now. The change of status from local manufacturer occurred yesterday afternoon when the final 380 passed out of the company's Tonsley Park facility.

Robert McEniry, Mitsubishi’s President and Chief Executive Officer, was on hand at a media presentation to answer questions concerning the future of the facility (for the record, it is already being decommissioned and expressions of interest in the site are being considered by MMAL and parent company Mitsubishi Motors Corporation).

"There is no doubt that today is a very solemn day, but it is also a celebration of the long and proud history of an exceptional manufacturing facility, and an exceptional group of people," McEniry said at the presentation.

"Since my arrival at Mitsubishi, I have been deeply impressed and heartened by the tenacity, resilience and sheer determination of all our employees. My thanks, and the thanks of the entire Mitsubishi management team go to this wonderful group for their continued commitment."

Beginning life as a Chrysler Australia facility in 1964, the Tonsley Park Plant was sold to Mitsubishi when Chrysler upped stakes and left in 1980. Over 1.1 million units of locally manufactured Sigma, Colt, Magna, Verada and 380 models have been built at the plant since.

Of the four final cars to be built at the plant, the very last one will be auctioned through Mitsubishi's dealer network and will presumably fetch big money for its collectability. The other three will be donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Vision Australia and the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, South Australia.

MMAL will continue to support the 380 through its parts and service programs. Following the original announcement that the plant would close, Mitsubishi extended the 380's warranty to six years.