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Here's one reason Mitsubishi is doing poorly in the U.S.

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Old 08-18-14 | 06:33 AM
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Originally Posted by SW13GS
It's a vicious circle. Sales drop, they close dealers. Lack of dealers reduces consumers access to the product, further reducing sales.

It's not the cause of the problem at its root, but it's a contributing factor to their ongoing problems.
yep... as simple as that.
Old 08-18-14 | 06:34 AM
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Originally Posted by bitkahuna
dealer 70 miles away? some people commute that to work.

my nearest lexus dealer is more than 90 miles away.
Mitsu ain't coming to pick up your car and give you a loaner for an oil change...
Old 08-18-14 | 07:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Lex2InfiN
I think it's a bit silly to suggest the reason Mitsubishi isn't doing well is because they don't have enough dealers. They can't make a business case to have MORE dealers because the potential sales numbers just aren't there. They had some hot products back in the day, but Mitsubishi has completely dropped the ball over the years and at this point, they are just an afterthought in the automotive world. I've heard a few nice things about the Outlander, but that's about it. I think ultimately their fate is sealed and they will certainly end up the way Suzuki did. Has nothing to do with a lack of dealers

That isn't quite what I said. I said, in the OP, that I was aware of the argument that you are making about the reason for the sparse dealerships being shrinking sales (and that the argument had some merit). But equally true is the fact that, at least with the system of selling vehicles that Mitsubishi has to deal with, the sparse dealerships don't help much.....you cannot sell what you don't have outlets for. That was part of the same problem that killed Isuzu and Suzuki in the American market. As SW13GS pointed out (to some extent, correctly), it's a vicious circle.
Old 08-18-14 | 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by SW13GS
Whoosh! That was the sound of that joke going right over your head

It didn't go over my head. I was well aware that it was probably a reference to my earlier comments on the DTS and Town Car. I simply chose not to address that part of it.
Old 08-18-14 | 07:33 AM
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Mitsubishi auto is also doing poorly back home in Japan, due to a manufacturing defect cover up that had resulted in few death incidents. In Japan such incident is widely known as 三菱之恥,literally means shame on Mitsubishi.
If you buy a Mitsu there, people will wonder if your doing ok financially, that's how low the brand image is considered right now. I won't be surprised if the entire Mitsubishi Auto shut its door at some point, even in Japan.
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%...9A%A0%E3%81%97
Old 08-18-14 | 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by tex2670
Mitsu ain't coming to pick up your car and give you a loaner for an oil change...

What will likely happen is that (unless they do minor service themselves) a lot of Mitsu owners will probably be using closer-in independent shops for that kind of minor service.
Old 08-18-14 | 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by kyo7878
Mitsubishi auto is also doing poorly back home in Japan, due to a manufacturing defect cover up that had resulted in few death incidents. In Japan such incident is widely known as 三菱之恥,literally means shame on Mitsubishi.
If you buy a Mitsu there, people will wonder if your doing ok financially, that's how low the brand image is considered right now. I won't be surprised if the entire Mitsubishi Auto shut its door at some point, even in Japan.
They have had their share of scandals here in the U.S., too. Their Diamond-Star plant in Normal, IL was the classic poster-child for factory/plant problems. And a couple of Mitsubishi of America officials actually went to prison.....I don't remember the exact charges.
Old 08-18-14 | 07:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Hoovey2411
Starion, 3000GT, Turbo AWD Eclipse... long live that Mitsubishi
Attached Thumbnails Here's one reason Mitsubishi is doing poorly in the U.S.-capture2.jpg  

Last edited by bagwell; 08-18-14 at 09:07 AM.
Old 08-18-14 | 08:13 AM
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The EVO is the least of their problems.
Old 08-18-14 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by bagwell
Last VR4 ever built - 1999 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 Twin Turbo - YouTube[/url]

That 46K list is the main reason the 3000GT and its sister Japanese sports cars (Stealth, RX-7, Supra, 300ZX) left the American market in the 90s. They had gotten too expensive (for the period), too hard to insure, and were simply out of the reach of many buyers. The manufacturers could have partly rectified the situation by lowering prices and content, but chose not to so so.
Old 08-18-14 | 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by ClassicSC3
It does NOT help Mitsu that they want 40k for their Lance Evo. There is a reason you never see a Lancer Evo on the road.
STIs, with options, are also going for that kind of money now. In fact, even base models are 38-39K.
Old 08-18-14 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Hoovey2411
Consumer Reports hates the Mirage.
Well, ya, it's a 74 HP death box.
Old 08-18-14 | 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Hoovey2411
Consumer Reports hates the Mirage.
In their view, it's only marginally better than the Smart-for-Two and Scion iQ.
Old 08-19-14 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by mmarshall
It didn't go over my head. I was well aware that it was probably a reference to my earlier comments on the DTS and Town Car. I simply chose not to address that part of it.
It was a jab-joke. Don't take everything so seriously and literally.
Old 08-19-14 | 01:36 PM
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I drove my boss's Outlander once. IIRC it was a late 2000's model. Very poor fit and finish, the thing was falling apart. The power seats didn't work.

My friend has an 08 Lancer that he really likes though, and it looks gorgeous in blue. I don't think they've made any changes to it since then though, and that hasn't helped things.



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