Mitsubishi eco cars are coming

Jan 6 2009 Steve Hughes

MITSUBISHI dealers are to be thrown a lifeline by their importer to prevent them from going under during the recession.

Describing current conditions as so severe that mere survival means victory, Mitsubishi UK boss Jim Tyrrell says that eco-friendly and all-electric models are on their way.

The company is to follow the lead of the ECOnetic, BlueMotion and EfficientDynamics models from Ford, Volkswagen and BMW with a forthcoming range of ClearTec versions of its current cars plus a new all-electric vehicle called i-MiEV.

Mr Tyrrell says that these new low-polluting models should attract more buyers, which is part of the package aimed at maintaining cash flow among dealers by boosting sales.

Dealers will also be allowed to operate with fewer demonstration cars for customers and will be given six months to sell any models they receive from the importer before having to pay for them.

Mitsubishi says that for the average UK dealer selling 300 vehicles a year the savings should amount to £50,000, rising to £100,000 for larger groups.

There will also be the facility to manage individual dealer websites directly at no additional charge, rather than having to work via the importer's corporate website, which currently costs several thousand pounds a year.

Mr Tyrrell says: 'Times are certainly tough, with Mitsubishi sales and parts turnover down compared with 2007. For some in our industry during 2009 survival will mean victory.''