Mitsubishi: Too old and too expensive

[csv8]

Mitsubishi: Too old and too expensive

Date
August 23, 2012 - 8:38AM


Matt Campbell

New Australian boss gives a frank assessment of the brand’s line-up.


"The product is old ... and the prices are too high."

That's what Mitsubishi Australia's new president and chief executive Mutsuhiro Oshikiri thinks about the current product range offered by the Japanese brand.

Oshikiri joined the Australian arm of the company just 10 weeks ago, and says he is eager to get a better grasp of what needs to change in order for more buyers to consider the brand when shopping for a new car.
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Mitsubishi has been repricing its products and updating its model ranges with new equipment incrementally over the past two to three years, but despite boosting the value-for-money equation sales are down by more than 5 per cent year-to-date compared to 2011. On contrast, the overall market is up almost 10 per cent.

Oshikiri says the brand has missed the mark on several occasions in recent years.

"In most cases, we have a similar complaint [about a particular car] and we feel shame, because if everybody says different [problems with the car] it's OK, but if everybody says the same thing, we are idiots – we didn't do the proper thing," he says.

"Our customer is a commonsense customer," he says. He says the company needs to get the basic customer demands addressed in order to keep its position as one of the country's top sellers.

Oshikiri admits he is still learning about the crowded Australian car market.

"Our [cars are] old and we need more value for money," he says.

"I don't know why people buy a Mitsubishi. That is a simple question, difficult answer that I have to think about for the next three or four months. What is the benefit? Why do we have to be here? What is the future? I have to find out."

A large part of that future is the roll-out of new models. That starts with the return of the Mirage city car and the all-new Outlander SUV early next year.
Brisbanetimes.drive.com.au/motor-news/mitsubishi-too-old-and-too-expensive-20120823-24nfi.html

Not part of the news article: My comment : sounds like Ford Australia !!

[malazn mafia]

Fixed .

Originally Posted by csv8

Mitsubishi: Too old and too expensive

Date
August 23, 2012 - 8:38AM


Matt Campbell

New Australian boss gives a frank assessment of the brand’s line-up.


"The product is old ... and the prices are too high."

That's what Mitsubishi Australia's new president and chief executive Mutsuhiro Oshikiri thinks about the current product range offered by the Japanese brand.

Oshikiri joined the Australian arm of the company just 10 weeks ago, and says he is eager to get a better grasp of what needs to change in order for more buyers to consider the brand when shopping for a new car.
Advertisement

Mitsubishi has been repricing its products and updating its model ranges with new equipment incrementally over the past two to three years, but despite boosting the value-for-money equation sales are down by more than 5 per cent year-to-date compared to 2011. On contrast, the overall market is up almost 10 per cent.

Oshikiri says the brand has missed the mark on several occasions in recent years.

"In most cases, we have a similar complaint [about a particular car] and we feel shame, because if everybody says different [problems with the car] it's OK, but if everybody says the same thing, we are idiots – we didn't do the proper thing," he says.

"Our customer is a commonsense customer," he says. He says the company needs to get the basic customer demands addressed in order to keep its position as one of the country's top sellers.

Oshikiri admits he is still learning about the crowded Australian car market.

"Our [cars are] old and we need more value for money," he says.

"I don't know why people buy a Mitsubishi. That is a simple question, difficult answer that I have to think about for the next three or four months. What is the benefit? Why do we have to be here? What is the future? I have to find out."

A large part of that future is the roll-out of new models. That starts with the return of the Mirage city car and the all-new Outlander SUV early next year.
Brisbanetimes.drive.com.au/motor-news/mitsubishi-too-old-and-too-expensive-20120823-24nfi.html

Not part of the news article: My comment : sounds like Ford Holden Australia !!

[Bossxr8]

How is the Mirage going to change things, its quite possibly the most boring design ever created. Blander than a Corolla. Looks like something a 90 year old would drive.

[EFFalcon]

just occurred to me that the only current mitsu's i can actually think of off hand are the lancer & oversized lancer (outlander?)

[tranquilized]

I dont know why anyone would buy a Mitsubishi either! Absolutely horrible lineup.

[AU Mont]

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

just occurred to me that the only current mitsu's i can actually think of off hand are the lancer & oversized lancer (outlander?)

triton !!!

i think thats about it lol

[prydey]

Originally Posted by csv8

Not part of the news article: My comment : sounds like Ford Australia !!

seriously, why do you bother??

[Resurrection]

Originally Posted by csv8

Not part of the news article: My comment : sounds like Ford Australia !!

Not part of the news article: My comment : don't care about Mitsubishi since they stopped local production !!

[buggerlugs]

Had 5 pajeros, one lancer (daughters) and son has a Triton GLX-R twin cab turbo diesel. All been great trouble free cars.............

[TC200six]

A new Lancer would be on its way for sure. The current one dates back to 2007.

[blueoval]

I don't know about you guys, but my sister has an 07 VRX lancer, and a mate of mine (WiggyMk2) has a 2010 Ralliart Lancer and I think both of those cars are brilliant. Heaps of features, fantastic warranty and drive great.

The VRX is a very capable car and drive awesome. The ralliart lancer is killer and a pretty quick car with the 6 spd cvt gearbox.

I personally like the styling, and if it wasn't for the ordinary resale, I would have gotten one myself.

Personal tastes I guess.

[robbyj]

A mate had a Mitsubishi Legnum, stock twin turbo, 4WD, moon roof, was a pretty insane car.

(ok it could just be argued its a lancer in wagon form like the oversized lancer SUV, but was still a nice car)

Apart from the Triton they dont really have much going for them CURRENTLY. Interesting to see if they come up with anything special

A random legnum.

[seedywagon]

I want a legnum so bad.

[blueoval]

an ex FFAU member (AUbigfoot) has one for sale at the moment. (legnum that is)

[prydey]

Originally Posted by seedywagon

I want a legnum so bad.

they are just a galant wagon. if i had to get an import wagon, i'd get a stagea.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by prydey

seriously, why do you bother??

Depends on what you mean ? not part of the news article ? I preface my comment because mods said how I post commets ,they are like part of the article. or My comment like Ford ?? poor customer service and too expensive ,are what Mitsu boss is complaining about, and thats what FF members complain about too, with Ford !!!!
Some people take some posts too seriously!!!!!!!!!!

[AndyXR6T]

I thought the ASX was a good contender in the small suv class at the moment?

I had a magna vrx and it was a great, under estimated car. They were very cheap to run and even cheaper to buy

[GTP owner]

I bought a paj last year. couldn't be happier. Much cheaper than the prado, more powerful, and better towing capacity. Handles the rough stuff well too. Whats not to like?

It now has a bullbar, diff locks, bigger tyres, uhf and rock sliders

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

How is the Mirage going to change things, its quite possibly the most boring design ever created. Blander than a Corolla. Looks like something a 90 year old would drive.

Ever owned one?
Might be bland but it was a bloody good car, my Ex had one and it was faultless, one of the better small cars.

[Kryton]

Id happily take a Pajero or even a Challenger.
Both suit my needs and wants.

[Bossxr8]

Only car i'd even look twice at in the lineup is the Evo, and word is the next model is going to be a hybrid. Way to ruin a good car, unless they can somehow miracuosly keep the weight of the batteries and electric motors to an absolute minimum.

Word is the motor won't even be turboed, but something like an NA 1.5 teamed with the electric motors driving the front wheels.

This is the new Mirage. Its so bland i'm almost falling asleep just looking at it.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by csv8

Depends on what you mean ? not part of the news article ? I preface my comment because mods said how I post commets ,they are like part of the article. or My comment like Ford ?? poor customer service and too expensive ,are what Mitsu boss is complaining about, and thats what FF members complain about too, with Ford !!!!
Some people take some posts too seriously!!!!!!!!!!

just pointing out that almost 100% of your contributions to this forum is to have a go at ford in one way or another.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Ever owned one?
Might be bland but it was a bloody good car, my Ex had one and it was faultless, one of the better small cars.

I liked the previous Mirage, it wasn't a bad looking hatch. But the new one is just unbelieveably boring to look at, and with a 1.2 litre NA engine forget it.

[Fiesta_Man69]

I had a 97 Mirage with an evo donk in it. Best car I've ever owned, and that's counting a 32gtr...

The Evo 10 ain't too bad either...

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I liked the previous Mirage, it wasn't a bad looking hatch. But the new one is just unbelieveably boring to look at, and with a 1.2 litre NA engine forget it.

Sorry mate i thought you were refering to the old one as the new one as i didnt know there was even a new one, my bad.

Yeah that new one is quite boring.

Only Mistu id look at is an Evo or a Ralliart.

[SumoDog68]

Pajero was a leader for many years with its monocoque body and good onroad handeling still decent off road. Same model been around since NM (2002) with just cosmetic changes.
Evo Lancer has cult folowing for a good reason - otherwise their range is old and very middle of the road...

[lockieoc]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

Evo Lancer has cult folowing for a good reason

Yep, got two in my drive way.
The fact an Evo comes with caped price servicing and the awesome warranty makes it such a fantastic car to drive and own.

[2011G6E]

...they obviously haven't driven a Lancer RalliArt then...

[cedric]

the warrenty is a huge benifit. 5 years new car and 10 years driveline. my mate was having some issues with his triton and he said he would get it fixed under warrenty, it had had a hard life and is about 8 years old and looked ready for the wreckers but still had warrenty. love it!!!

[DJM83]

Warranty would mean nothing to me, because if i purchased an EvoX it wouldnt stay standard for long