Thai factory to build Colt replacement

President of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Osamu Masuko, took part in a foundation stone laying ceremony in Thailand last week, for a new factory to build the company's 'Global Small Car'.

Masuko-san, out here in June, informed the local media at the time that Mitsubishi was working towards a replacement for the Colt light car and that the Global Small Car (GSC) would reach Australia around 2013.

Lenore Fletcher, Head of Corporate Communications for Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd (MMAL), was unable to confirm with the Carsales Network today that the GSC is confirmed for the local market, but did describe it as "very firmly on our agenda".

MMAL appears to remain highly committed to the VFACTS light-car segment, in spite of slower sales for the Colt in recent years and no sign that significant numbers of buyers in the segment see the ASX compact SUV as a true alternative to conventional light cars. It was hinted by MMAL when the ASX was launched here, that it might conquest sales of conventional hatchbacks and perhaps capture some market share not currently exploited by the Colt. Fletcher doesn't see the ASX obviating the need for a light-car contender from Mitsubishi.

"The ASX is actually in a different segment... it's still compact SUV. It's off the same platform as the Outlander... To look at that light-car segment, we would definitely be looking at something different than ASX," said Fletcher.

MMAL certainly doesn't want to step away from the light-car segment, as Fletcher explained.

"That segment itself, over the past several years, has had quite a bit of activity and huge growth... it's a very interesting segment to be in."

The factory under construction in Thailand is about 100km south east of Bangkok and will deliver up to 200,000 new vehicles per year once it's up to speed. Production is set to commence from March 2012.

Since Australia and Thailand have entered into a Free Trade Agreement, it's most likely that locally delivered examples of the GSC would be built in the new plant. According to Mitsubishi's press material, the new car will be powered by 1.0-litre or 1.2-litre engines. As Masuko-san told us six months ago, the new car will actually be smaller than the Colt, but the company forecasts a global downsizing in new-car purchasing, as customers set their sights lower and fuel prices inevitably rise.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...