Mitsubishi's name translates as "three diamonds," which explains the brand's red triple-star logo. The company introduced its first volume production car, the Model A, and the first series-produced car in Japan in 1917. Over the next 20 years, Mitsubishi branched out to build Japan's first diesel engine, first four-wheel-drive automobile prototype, first diesel-powered truck, and its first large bus.
The latter would evolve into the Fuso line of commercial trucks Mitsubishi builds to this day. However, the Allies dismantled Japan's large industrial corporations in the post-World War II era, dividing Mitsubishi Heavy Industries into three distinct companies, with each involved in vehicle development.
Passenger cars were not a priority in the 1940s and 1950s, so Mitsubishi turned toward the development of commercial vehicles useful for the rebuilding of Japan. But with gasoline in short supply, it had to innovate. Thus it produced buses that could run on either gasoline or alternative fuels; it even produced an all-electric version. Those looking for personal transport from Mitsubishi, however, were confined to purchasing motor scooters.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi was making a name for itself in international rallying, first with the Shogun SUV, and later with the all-wheel-drive Lancer Evolution. It entered into a joint venture with Volvo in 1995 but soon started building Smart for-fours at the plant when DaimlerChrysler took a 37% stake in Mitsubishi in 2000. Four year later, DaimlerChrysler sold the shares back as a scandal over recalls in Japan caused Mitsubishi's domestic sales to tank at a time when DaimlerChrysler was itself in financial trouble.
Mitsubishi's Lancer platform is used on the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Patriot, Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring, but otherwise the two companies are working separately. Mitsubishi's highest-profile current products are the rally-inspired Lancer Evo and the sporty Eclipse.
The latter would evolve into the Fuso line of commercial trucks Mitsubishi builds to this day. However, the Allies dismantled Japan's large industrial corporations in the post-World War II era, dividing Mitsubishi Heavy Industries into three distinct companies, with each involved in vehicle development.
Passenger cars were not a priority in the 1940s and 1950s, so Mitsubishi turned toward the development of commercial vehicles useful for the rebuilding of Japan. But with gasoline in short supply, it had to innovate. Thus it produced buses that could run on either gasoline or alternative fuels; it even produced an all-electric version. Those looking for personal transport from Mitsubishi, however, were confined to purchasing motor scooters.
- Founded : 1870
- Founder : Iwasaki YatarÅ
- Headquarters : Tokyo, Japan
- Website : http://www.mitsubishi.com
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi was making a name for itself in international rallying, first with the Shogun SUV, and later with the all-wheel-drive Lancer Evolution. It entered into a joint venture with Volvo in 1995 but soon started building Smart for-fours at the plant when DaimlerChrysler took a 37% stake in Mitsubishi in 2000. Four year later, DaimlerChrysler sold the shares back as a scandal over recalls in Japan caused Mitsubishi's domestic sales to tank at a time when DaimlerChrysler was itself in financial trouble.
Mitsubishi's Lancer platform is used on the Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass and Patriot, Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring, but otherwise the two companies are working separately. Mitsubishi's highest-profile current products are the rally-inspired Lancer Evo and the sporty Eclipse.