Mitsubishi previews updated Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi is seeking to reposition itself as a leader in the SUV market, as it readies itself for the Australian launch of its updated Outlander PHEV (Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle).

Speaking at a media preview in Norway, the company's European public relations manager Daniel Nacass said Mitsubishi was one of the few automotive companies that could claim a genuine SUV heritage.

“Everyone offers SUVs, from Dacia to Bentley, but there is a difference between us and the other ones. We have a pedigree in this category, dating all the way back to 1936 with PX33 and it continued with the first Pajero in 1982.

“Our SUVs do not come from cars, they are not a marketing trick, they come from our pedigree. And if you look into the market, in the end, there are only three brands that have SUV pedigree -- that’s us, Jeep and Land Rover. Three brands that have always been with SUVs and of course the technologies that go with it.”

As the car market shifts away from traditional vehicle styles, and sales of SUVs surpass passenger cars for the first time in Australia, it’s no surprise that Mitsubishi is looking to its SUVs to continue to strengthen its local sales.

Beyond the upgraded Outlander PHEV, which goes on sale in Australia in April, Mitsubishi will bolster its SUV line-up late this year with the all-new Eclipse Cross that slots under the Outlander and ASX, a replacement for which will follow next year.

The Lancer is ageing and until the alliance with Renault-Nissan bears small-car fruit for the three-diamond brand, it will remain heavily reliant on its SUV portfolio, which currently accounts for more than half of its monthly vehicle sales.

While Mitsubishi placed fourth in the sales charts last month, ahead of both Holden and Ford, there have been mixed fortunes for its SUV sales. Its large Triton ute-based SUV, the Pajero Sport, is currently the best-selling vehicle of its type in Australia, with year-to-date sales up more than 60 per cent compared to the same period last year.

However, the ASX small SUV has been challenged by sharp competition from an excellent line up of new and updated models, including the Mazda CX-3, Toyota C-HR, Holden Trax, Nissan QASHQAI and Suzuki Ignis.

Outlander has been holding its own in the medium SUV segment, which is currently the fastest growing market in Australia but it lost some sales of its plug-in hybrid last year as the company awaited the 2017 update.

The refreshed Outlander PHEV is expected to generate renewed interest with buyers thanks to improved driving dynamics from its advanced four-wheel-drive system and additional technology updates which will add to its appeal, particularly with fleet managers.

More information on the 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV including full Australian specifications will be available when the car is officially launched here next month.