Japanese brand calls time on its rebadged mid-size commercial van; Australian stocks to last into Q4
Mitsubishi Australia has announced it’s killing off its Renault-sourced Mitsubishi Express, citing “current global business and supply conditions” as the reason for the mid-size commercial van’s early curtain drop.
While not directly nominated as a reason, we wouldn’t be surprised if lacklustre local sales also played a part in the decision, given just 387 Express vans were shifted in the first three months of the year, compared to the 2596 Toyota HiAces, 880 LDV G10s and 680 Hyundai Staria Loads sold over the same period.
To the Express’ credit, it has thus far (in 2022) outsold its aging Renault Trafic twin as well as the Volkswagen Transporter and Mercedes-Benz Vito.
According to Mitsubishi, production of the short-wheelbase versions will wrap up by the end of next month, with stock forecasted to run out in the closing stages of the year.
“After assessing current global business and supply conditions with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, the decision has now been made to cease production of Australian market Mitsubishi Express,” Mitsubishi said in a statement.
“Due to supply and component-related issues, long wheelbase variants will not form part of the final allocation. Existing long wheelbase supply is expected to be exhausted by mid-2022.”
That’s not to say the triple-diamond brand is palming the remaining examples off; Express prices are up going into its final months on sale, with the range now kicking off from $39,040 plus on-road costs for the base GLX SWB manual – marking a $580 increase.
Meantime the automatic version goes up a considerable $1550 to $44,040, as does the automatic LWB (now $46,040).
Like the three-pedal SWB, the manual LWB’s price increase is a much subtler $548 (now $41,040), while the top-spec GLX+ LWB auto has risen $550 to $46,540.
No changes have been made to the specifications of any variant.
How much does the 2022 Mitsubishi Express cost now?GLX SWB – $39,040 (+$580)GLX SWB (a) – $44,040 (+$1550GLX LWB – $41,040 (+548)GLX LWB (a) – $46,040 (+$1550)GLX+ LWB (a) – $46,540 (+$550)
* Prices exclude on-road costs
Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at [email protected]
Keyword: Mitsubishi Express to retire early