Tokyo, August 27, 2010-Mitsubishi Motors Corporation today announced global production, as well as domestic sales and export figures for July 2010. 

• Production: total and in Japan
  Total global production for July came in at 102,870 units, 61.9 percent up over July 2009 and the ninth consecutive monthly increase since November 2009. Production volume in Japan at 63,582 units was 77.7 percent up year-on-year, the eighth consecutive monthly year-on-year increase. Passenger car output at 55,291 units was 101.9 percent up. Commercial vehicle output at 8,291 units was 1.3 percent down year-on-year.

• Sales in Japan
  Vehicle sales in Japan in July totaled 16,991 units, 17.8 percent up on the same month last year and the ninth consecutive monthly year-on-year rise since November 2009. Sales of passenger cars at 12,802 units were 23.6 percent up year-on-year and sales of commercial vehicles at 4,189 units were 3.5 percent up year-on-year. Registered vehicle sales volume at 7,122 units was 31.6 percent up on the same month last year. Minicar sales volume at 9,854 units was 9.4 percent up year-on-year.  

• Production overseas
  Overseas production volume totaled 39,228 units, 41.5 percent up over July last year and the ninth consecutive monthly year-on-year increase. By region, output in Asia at 30,405 units was 60.2 percent up year-on-year boosted chiefly by 15.6 percent, 170.9 percent and 91.0 percent increases at China Motor Corp. in Taiwan, MMTh in Thailand and KRM in Indonesia respectively. In North America, output at 2,552 units was 86.7 percent up over July last year when production was still at a virtual standstill. In Europe, output at 2,465 units was 44.5 percent down year-on-year as sales in the region remained sluggish.  In South America output at 3,480 units was 33.3 percent up as sales at MMC Automotores do Brasil Ltda. continued to recover.

• Export shipments from Japan
  Total exports from Japan of 39,355 units were 129.3 percent up on July 2009, marking the eighth consecutive monthly year-on-year rise. Exports to Asia at 4,894 units were 66.5 percent up year-on-year mainly on the back of a 150.0 percent increase in shipments to China and helped by a continuing rise in shipments to Malaysia. Exports to North America at 4,278 units were 26.9 percent down over the same period last year. Exports to Europe at 17,202 units were 651.5 percent up year-on-year, boosted by a recovery from zero to 4,147 units to Russia and by significant increases to the Ukraine, Germany, Great Britain and Spain.

News came in that could lower the prices (supply) of carbon fiber to industrial consumers today. Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. (MRC) has resumed its previously halted construction of what will become the world’s largest carbon fiber factory. Lower prices for the lightweight material could mean more usage in consumer automobiles, better gas mileage and higher performance.
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Whilst bravely stepping forth into the breach that is the hatchback wars, the Mitsubishi Colt would be justly forgiven for sporting a wry smile on its face. I say this as Mitsubishi have managed to achieve the impossible by manufacturing a vehicle that manages to be small…but…umm…big at the same time. I have never witnessed a hatchback that is nearly as roomy as the Colt. I am more than aware that those of us who are in the market for a hatchback probably don’t have space and roominess too high up the agenda; if you did, why are you buying a small car? So it comes as a great surprise to be able to fit 5 grown adults in a hatchback and avoid having all the oxygen forced out of your lungs by fellow travellers’ bodies crushing your own.
The Colt’s ingenious space maximisation doesn’t stop there either; the rear passenger seats are removable, so the vehicle can easily be adapted into some kind of mini-van. I can’t speak for everyone, but this sounds like a perfect idea for those occasions when you know your better half is going to go ‘a bit crazy’ during the sales and spend your annual food budget on shoes, furniture and other credit card melting purchases. When you notice that shopaholic look in their eye, simply pop the passenger seats out and you are left with more space than you would imagine from a hatchback.
All of this talk of spacial capacity would be pointless if the car itself was a stinker. Thankfully this isn’t the case and the Colt manages to impress on the road. The handling is extremely sharp and the agile chassis easily maintains a vice like grip on the road. The available 1.1 model is perhaps a little too understated for anything other than driving round town, but the turbocharged 1.5-litre in the CZT model is an extremely satisfying drive, with enough power and grunt to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
As ecological awareness is now paramount in all but the most cynical of motorists’ minds, then it comes as good news that the Mitsubishi Colt is also an ecologically sound vehicle. Those of us who are feeling the financial pinch at the moment will be impressed that driver tests have shown that the Colt averages around 52 mpg. So Mitsubishi have followed up their concept of a practical vehicle by making it financially viable as well.
One of the minor drawbacks of the Mitsubishi Colt is the badge on the front. In the competitive market for hot hatches, style and image are as important as power and performance and if we’re being honest, the Mitsubishi Colt doesn’t exactly scream panache, grace and flair. The slightly boxy body also leaves a little bit to be desired. In an ideal world, the general public would be less shallow and be falling over each other for this technological triumph of practicality over aesthetic finesse.
Happily, Mitsubishi have priced the Colt very competitively and this should translate well into the used cars market. The build quality of the Colt is high and it is solid and sturdy in both interior and exterior departments. For added value, it would be worth any prospective Colt buyer looking for dealer ex-demonstration models with low mileage but with hefty discounts off the price-tag.
In summary, the Mitsubishi Colt is unlikely to become major competition for the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Fiat 500 or any of the revivals vying for the coveted best-selling hatchback honour, but it is worth considering if practicality is what you are looking for in a car. It may not be the prettiest car in the world, but the price and plus points make it worth investigating.

[Source: BigRedChili.co.uk]

An anonymous source with Mitsubishi Motors North America has confirmed that the current generation Colt is NOT coming to the United States. It appears that because the model will not meet current US crash regulations it will most likely not be retrofitted and imported into the United States.

So we’ll definitely be looking for a new B-sized hatchback model in 2012 probably the same as the Peugot/Citroen compact cars with a 1.3L or 1.6L for the United States.

7th Generation (Facelift) 2009 CZ3

No, that’s not a Spiderman prop. This is down-home Chinese test mule camouflage.

The Mitsubishi Colt is set to go into production at Mitsubishi’s flailing joint venture with SouEast that is getting a boost in the arm with the addition of a new line up of cars. The JV has been stalling for an number of years due to a seeming neglect by Mitsubishi who failed to introduce any new cars into China, however this has all changed for 2010 with the addition of the Lancer in 1.8L and 2.0L form.

A further addition of the ‘big mouth’ edition Mitsubishi Colt is expected to make it into the Mitsubishi China line up later this year, and will give the super mini segment some further competition, especially with the recent addition of the Nissan March and long term best seller, the Ford Fiesta. Spy pictures of the Colt have been spotted out before, however this is the first time that the new 2010 Mitsubishi grill version has been spotted in China.

The Colt is expected to launch with the choice of a 1.3L or a 1.5L engine later this year, and will likely launch after the Mitsubishi ASX.

[Source: China Car Times (English) ]
[Source: BitAuto.com (Chinese) ]