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- Mitsubishi SA reveals new Outlander and plans for upcoming models
We attended the Mitsubishi Brand day in the Western Cape to lay our eyes on the new Outlander and to find out about the brand's plans for 2023 and beyond, which include a range of exciting new models, and several strategies to lift the Mitsubishi name to new heights.
Mitsubishi’s back with a bang – although they never left
Mitsubishi has been rather quiet for the last three years, but only because recent model updates and facelifts were not introduced via an official launch, but on paper. This means that there is only a press release, and the enhanced vehicle is then released into the various press fleets for SA media to drive.
This doesn’t mean that Mitsubishis haven’t been selling, however – recently-updated models include the Mitsubishi ASX, Pajero Sport Aspire, Xpander, Triton Heritage Edition and new single-cab Triton bakkies (from R419 995), and of the 4315 new models sold in 2022, the Pajero Sport, Triton, and Xpander were responsible for the majority of the sales. Considering the after-effects of Covid-19 and global semiconductor shortages, it’s a figure that’s still rather impressive for a brand that isn’t as big as Toyota or Volkswagen.
The Mitsubishi Xpander, a seven-seater MPV/SUV combo, was updated in September 2022 and is one of the brand’s top sellers in SA. Pricing starts at R339 995.
But those are just numbers, and Mitsubishi’s strategy goes far beyond that. The brand is following a roadmap for the future that includes improved product competitiveness through better products and positioning (ie. affordability), the launch of new models, the repositioning of the brand to attract a broader customer base, building brand affinity, and improving specification on their vehicles.
A renewed focus on customers will also see Mitsubishi Motors SA launch customer loyalty programs and numerous initiatives to make customers happy and attract local buyers to the brand. Their website will also be relaunched for a better user experience, especially where car configuration is concerned.
NADA Gold Award winners
As life is getting more expensive, our readers frequently ask about a specific brand’s aftersales service reputation before they even start searching for cars.
Mitsubishi were Gold Award winners in the 2022 NADA Dealer Satisfaction Survey in the Passenger and Light Commercial Vehicle Category, which is a testament to the fact that they take care of their customers.
Driving the current models
I drove the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (from R434 990) to Anura wine farm near Klapmuts outside Cape Town, and later had the opportunity to sample the ultra-capable, four-wheel-driven Triton in Xtreme guise on the sandy path behind the vineyards.
The ultimate boy’s toy in the range is the souped-up Triton Xtreme!
The Triton Xtreme value package is worth R112 850 and includes the following:
Pricing for the 2.4 4×2 Xtreme A/T model is R688 990 while the 4×4 model will set you back R688 990. Both models have outputs of 133kW and 450Nm.
For the full specification list you can download the Triton Xtreme brochure here.
New vehicles to look forward to in 2023
The grand reveal was the brand new Mitsubishi Outlander which will be launching officially later this year.
The 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander looks rugged but glamorous.
The handsome new Xpander Cross will also be arriving in the last quarter of 2023 and we will also be on the receiving end of a new Triton halo model – we are one of only four countries to receive this rugged new edition, rich in standard RALLIART kit.
The presentation on the upcoming special edition Triton was via Zoom, straight from Japan.
Along with these new models, Mitsubishi mentioned three other SUVs coming our way, but offered no additional information on them. There is also a chance that we may be getting the Mitsubishi Delica, a rugged six-seat people-hauler 4×4 minivan. We are holding thumbs for this one!
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Ané AlbertseAné was bitten by the motoring bug at a very young age. Her mom recalls her sitting in her stroller as a 3-year old, naming every car that came past. She was working as a freelance motoring journalist for publications such as Rapport and City Press, when AutoTrader nabbed her for good. She lives in the Western Cape with her two kids and two cats.View News & Reviews
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