I am surprised to see that nobody has made any comments about the sales figures which were released today. Hence I will start the discussion. Before anybody starts to critcise me let me say that I didn't register to troll on this forum.

It is vital for Mitsubishi Australia's manufacturing division that the new 380 model succeeds. Therefore I have to say that I am very disappointed at the sales figures:

October - 951
November - 1,650

As Mitsubishi Australia no longer manufactures left hand drive models for export, they rely solely on domestic sales. For MMAL to break even they need to sell at least 2,500 vehicles per month. At the moment they are well short of that target.

The 380 was released on the 13th of October. I have only seen ONE on the road to date in the last seven odd weeks. This is very concerning.

So what do you fans of the triple diamond think about the 380s initial sales performance?

FF

Well there's only one thing to think really isn't there?...

So what do you fans of the tripple diamond think about the 380s initial sales performance?
Seems on par with their advertising campaign and dealer effort, esp at Heritage Motors in Maitland :gtfo:

Well there's only one thing to think really isn't there?...

Yep.. Buy a new 380 (and everyone else) and at the same time leave 1000's of TH, TJ and TL Magna's out there that need to be sold at ludicrous prices to get rid of them! Does good to our already poor resale value. But keeps 2500 people in a job!

The 380 was released on the 13th of October. I have only seen ONE on the road to date in the last seven odd weeks. This is very concerning.

So what do you fans of the triple diamond think about the 380s initial sales performance?
FF

Really? I saw 1 on friday, 4 on saturday and another on sunday. And that wasnt including the one i was driving.


Initial performance is down on what i would have expected, but its still very early. Wait for fleet sales to start picking up.

being voted family/large car of the year by NRMA might boost sales. let's just sit and observe for a little longer i say.

the 380 we had at auto salon on the weekend got a lot of interest, and i mean a lot!!! the numbers will increase as its a fantastic car and im not bias to mitsubishi with that statement. Give it time, its only been 2 months and they haven't come avaliable to fleet purchases yet i believe

MMAL needs to start advertising better. They just won best large car, and hardly advertised the fact. But Hyundai wins with the Getz and big advertisement campagian on it.

Need to start spend some money to sell these 380 and start promoting it as the best large car

My 2 cents

I know why I love this forum we have;

- Einstien (from the will the plane take off thread).
- Marketing expert analysts

Companies have advertising budgets they have to follow. Hyundai is pouring their money into TV, MMAL have TV and Newspaper.

For MMAL to break even they need to sell at least 2,500 vehicles per month. At the moment they are well short of that target.

I really don't think it's quite as dire as the tone of your post suggests. With the new CEO in, the whole organisation will be going through a change management process. Once this is out of the way, they will probably turn their attention more to getting the car out the door.

As to what their real financial break even really is, all we know is what Wheels quoted when the 380 was released. Only senior MMAL mamangement and their auditor would be privy to such information. I'm sure you can understand the product cycle of new products. some sell like hotcakes from new, others not so - there may be a gradual ramp up in sales once word of mouth spreads, the vehicle is fully evaluated by fleets etc.

Im sure a lot of fleets are waiting for evidence of the stability of the 380s pricing structure and it's effect on resale.

You state that the car is for sale only in the Australian market, you are incorrect however the vehicle is exported to NZ. I would be interested in seeing if any sales figures exist for that market yet.

I know why I love this forum we have;

- Einstien (from the will the plane take off thread).
- Marketing expert analysts

Companies have advertising budgets they have to follow. Hyundai is pouring their money into TV, MMAL have TV and Newspaper.


BINGO

just found this on another forum.i dont know enough to comment so i wont - just thought it would appropriate in this thread.

Commodore 5276
Falcon 5064
Corolla 4002
Yaris 1733
380 1650

The 380 was released on the 13th of October. I have only seen ONE on the road to date in the last seven odd weeks. This is very concerning.
FF
Same here. A base model in metallic beige with grandma & grandpa driving it. Im more than concerned. :cry: Great engine note for a stocky though! :D

what concerns me, is that i have seen more Chrysler 300C's on the road than 380's :confused:

I know I have said this before but your average family in general I would imagine would tend not jump straight into buying a new design/model in the fear that it may not take off or that there will be flaws... wait till more do get out on the road and people start taking notice, word of mouth etc... unfortunately I think many of the purchases will possibly be fleet sales but anything to just get them out on the road for now to be noticed.

Not poking at your post Dee, just in general, I don't think people can really compare to mainstream sales figures, especially for a brand new vehicle.

I would be curious to see if Holden brought out a brand new name/shape vehicle with no history and see how much their sales die during its infancy... ok not as much as Mitsu might as Ford and Holden have the market already.

I think it is just a matter of being noticed and getting respect and recognition for a quality built and backed vehicle, and so far I hear very little to suggest otherwise...

Look at the new Mazda range (Mazda 3 and 6 is it?) it took a while for those to take off but it has been a steady increase... I think that is all they could hope for at this stage.

I think it is more a waiting game IMO

The AU — actually developed under the code name "EA169" — had Ford's "New Edge" design style, which was meant to differentiate it from the Audi-esque styling prevalent in the 1990s. The gamble, which had worked with the Ford Focus, did not particularly endear the AU Falcon to its buyers, even after subtle model upgrades (the AU MkII and MkIII).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Falcon (http://)

Blow it out your arse Mr Falconman!

Sorry Tessa, I am not normally this slow, but I am not sure what point you are making... can you explain your point more please?

I understand the passage, just not so much how it relates to the sales of the 380... are you drawing conclusions based on the history of the Falcon?

In July Holden bring out there completely new shaped sedan. Personally i love it and think they will sell like hotcakes but if they dont then mitsi's wont be the only ones with their butt holes clinching :doubt:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Falcon (http://)

Blow it out your arse Mr Falconman!
What the hell is this!? :nuts:

I am surprised .what do you fans of the triple diamond think about the 380s initial sales performance?

FF

Mmmm. in other forums that I am a member of, this would be seen as deliberately provoking some angst, by a non-Mitsu driving member.
:nuts:

Too early to call, on sales. Way too early. Fleet and 'best car' to kick in yet. Don't forget, those figures are actual registrations, I believe. Could take up to 3 weeks from sale to registration in some cases... just wait.

It would be interesting to know how many back orders Mitsu are holding for the 380. This would be a good way to guage interest in the car. I mean if there are 2000 odd back orders then that is more than positive for potential sales.

Sorry Tessa, I am not normally this slow,
Oh? :redface:


I understand the passage, just not so much how it relates to the sales of the 380... are you drawing conclusions based on the history of the Falcon?

Just reminding our Falcon loving trespasser that the AU was basically a sales flop and had to redesigned to become the top selling BA.

Sorry Tessa, I am not normally this slow, but I am not sure what point you are making... can you explain your point more please?

I understand the passage, just not so much how it relates to the sales of the 380... are you drawing conclusions based on the history of the Falcon?
Maybe the fact the falcon sales dropped dramaticly when they released their new shape to the world.
Going on the argument of being a new model, and that sales drop untill it becomes more popular...
but lets face it, they AU looked like **** (minus T series), and we all know it!

edit: hah, omg lets all post at the same time :P

Oh? :redface:



Just reminding our Falcon loving trespasser that the AU was basically a sales flop and had to redesigned to become the top selling BA.
So, what you are saying is that the TW Magna was a sales flop and had to be redesigned to become the top selling 380? :D

Just reminding our Falcon loving trespasser that the AU was basically a sales flop and had to redesigned to become the top selling BA.
Thanks... I had another think about it and thought you might have meant something along those lines... for a minute there I thought you were saying that the 380's design is not far off the design flop of the AU which was causing the sales to suffer lol

I actually made the AU headlights at Hella Australia before the car was even born... I remember us looking at the first produced lenses saying "what the hell?" lol

I remember us looking at the first produced lenses saying "what the hell?" lol
I still think that when I overtake them :shifty:

Mmmm. in other forums that I am a member of, this would be seen as deliberately provoking some angst, by a non-Mitsu driving member.
:nuts:

Too early to call, on sales. Way too early. Fleet and 'best car' to kick in yet. Don't forget, those figures are actual registrations, I believe. Could take up to 3 weeks from sale to registration in some cases... just wait.

My username clearly shows that my brand loyalties lie elsewhere. However, that anybody could read my original post at the start of this thread as provocation is absurd. I have shed a lot of blood, sweat and tears on the Mitsubishi 380 over the last two years. Therefore I have an attachment to this vehicle and want to see it succeed.

As to the Mitsubishi 380 sales target, those people who work with Mitsubishi Australia know that the target is 2,500 vehicles per month. That does not mean that Mitsubishi will close their assembly plant in Adelaide if they only sell 2,499 every month. But to be so far below the target has to be cause for concern. This is the first all new model since the TE model was released at the start of 1996. Where is all that pent up demand from Mitsubishi fans for a new model? A new model always generates excitment and a surge in orders and sales.

My 2 cents worth? The time is right for a 'Mitsubishi 250' to be built in parallel with the 380. I think the new model with a 4 cylinder engine would sell very well. Not everybody needs 175kW. MMAL had a 4 cylinder engine in the TE/TF models. But because there was bugger all difference between the 2.4 and 3.0 engines, most people selected the V6 engine. So MMAL dropped the 4 cylinder in 1999 with the introduction of the TH model. As the new V6 is 3.8 litres, a 2.5 litre 4 cylinder engine would be a good alternative for those people who favour economy over power.

FF

You don't just start selling 2500 per month, especially with a brand new vehicle model... you build up to it... but by the sounds of it, you should know that :confused:

It is an interesting point you raise about the smaller motor... more along the lines of your typical european car... I think to go further, a factory fitted turbo option would be great in a 4-cylinder if the internals could handle it... i guess the price would sky rocket though

That anybody could read my original post at the start of this thread as provocation is absurd.

I dont think it's absurd that anyone could see it as provocation.

Think of it this way:

Your username is FF, people on a magna forum see you say the 380 is selling badly.

Yes you don't make any accusations or insults...but it can quite easily be seen as a stir.

But don't worry...we realise you're not doing that. Discussion is discussion. Just wanted to clear it up for you with the perspective that some people here might have initially.

Cheers

I know why I love this forum we have;

- Einstien (from the will the plane take off thread).
- Marketing expert analysts

Companies have advertising budgets they have to follow. Hyundai is pouring their money into TV, MMAL have TV and Newspaper.

Don't forget:
- Comedians (this thread) :doubt:

If the rear of the 380 didn't sit up 20m high in the air I'm sure there'd be more sales :-) Heh, just saw a 380 the other day and was rather impressed, interior didn't look all that great, infact, think it's fair to say that the interior was down right ugly.

Off the line the 380 did nicely and is very quiet, can't say much about how it handles and the suspension though. Hope to see more on the road soon, they look nice and have grown on me.

Mitsubishi hits brakes
From: AAP
By James Stanford

December 07, 2005

IN another ominous sign for Australia's car industry, Mitsubishi Australia is preparing to scale back production of its 380 model less than two months after it was launched as competition intensifies.
The Adelaide-based car maker said the make-or-break 380 model had been selling in line with its predictions, but it was already preparing to build fewer of them.

New Mitsubishi Australia president Robert McEniry said the company was not prepared to offer the type of discounts being used by its Australian rivals and understood its sales could suffer.

"We want to get away from that, it will be very painful for us to do it but we want to build a brand that people respect in the market place," Mr McEniry said.

The former Holden marketing chief has attacked local rivals for making too many cars and then slashing prices.

The problem is that while demand (for large cars) has been slipping, some of the local manufacturers have been slow in reducing their production levels, so not only are inventories high, but they are still increasing," Mr McEniry said.

"Discounting and incentivising is running rampant. Nowhere is this more obvious than the large car segment where the urgency to fix mass inventories is high and the discounts most drastic."

Holden currently has 8000 cars in stock, a higher figure than normal, and has reduced its workforce by 1000 and cut its daily production rate.

Ford has less cars in storage than Holden, but still more than normal, and is offering 350 redundancy packages to workers and is preparing to reduce line speed at its Campbellfield factory.

Mitsubishi Australia slashed 650 jobs last year when it closed down its Lonsdale engine plant as Mitsubishi's global operations came close to a meltdown.

Mitsubishi believes that by refusing to cut its prices, it will be able to maintain the resale values of the 380. The outgoing Magna was known for poor resale values and that in turn damaged its fleet sales.

Despite planning to wind back production so early in the 380's life cycle, Mr McEniry remains positive the car will be a success.

Mitsubishi sold 1650 cars in November and expects to shift 2500 a month when the model acceptance builds next year.

"Despite an extremely competitive market and possibly the worst launch conditions for a new large car in 20 years, sales to date have been within our planning expectations," Mr McEniry said.

New cars sales would be slow across the board early next year before picking up in the back half.

He predicts a sales total of 975,000 for 2006, still short of the 1 million mark the market was hoping for.

The automotive parts industry is wary of a slowdown. Max Hofmeister, chairman of Brisbane-based automotive supplier CMI, has warned his shareholders about the "difficult circumstances" currently confronting the industry.

These included the ever-increasing cost of raw materials, the impact of the high Australian dollar on the competitiveness of locally manufactured products and high petrol prices affecting freight costs and consumer confidence.

"In our business it is very difficult to pass on material and labour increases, so managers have to focus on efficiencies and total cost reductions," Mr Hofmeister said in his recent speech to the company's annual general meeting.

With Chris Jones

I have said it over and over... it sounds like a wise and sensible approach to manufacturing and sales. It may hurt, but it may just pay off... gamble it may be. The article doesn't do much for our beloved Magna albeit state what we already know, but the less it is said and stated the better IMO (Regarding the resale value issue).

Exactly.

I also have a feeling that Holden has purposefully over produced in the last few months for the following reasons:

1. Offer markdowns to counter new falcon and 380
2. To deplete all final stock of the "non Euro 3" Gen 3 LS1
3. To produce as many non Euro-3 compliant cars as possible before the 1 January cut off date (related to point 2).

If you read the fineprint, the Holden "markdowns/staff pricing to all" is only available on cars produced before July 1st 2005.

They must have a f..k load of old cars built up so they're offering that - and marketing it so hard.

If you read the fineprint, the Holden "markdowns/staff pricing to all" is only available on cars produced before July 1st 2005.

They must have a f..k load of old cars built up so they're offering that - and marketing it so hard.
Its been changed to 1 Oct 2005.

Any yeah, when I was out at one of the car holding yards for sydney dealers, they had paddocks full of commodores.

http://goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/4F3ECF74438DBA98CA2570D00014B6F3

according to the article Mitsubishi states sales are "on track". Strange i should also see no less than 5 new 380's on the road today when i've only seen just the 1 since its release. Hope it sells strong.

just found this on another forum.i dont know enough to comment so i wont - just thought it would appropriate in this thread.

Commodore 5276
Falcon 5064
Corolla 4002
Yaris 1733
380 1650



Surprised to see the Commodore still no.1. The Falcon gets better reviews in every department, has more power and gets better fuel economy plus its much more advanced technology wise.

Surprised to see the Commodore still no.1. The Falcon gets better reviews in every department, has more power and gets better fuel economy plus its much more advanced technology wise.

Holden's production facility at Fisherman's Bend is equipped to build a larger volume of cars than Ford in Broadmeadows. If you looked at it from a Profit point of view, Ford is on top in that department.

He also commented that it always
took longer for a new nameplate to get
established in the market than a new
model of an existing nameplate and
that it would take time for the 380 to
gain acceptance and to ramp up to the
expected sales running rate.
Mr McEniry said that it took both
the Mazda6 and the Ford Territory
between six and nine months to
achieve their running rates, although
he did not expect the 380 to take that much time
to meet sales targets.

*and*


He said that fl eets and leasing companies
would wait to buy 380s with 2006 compliance
plates which would give Mitsubishi an advantage
over Holden and Ford, both of which were still
holding large stocks of cars with compliance
plates dated from early in 2005.

Its been changed to 1 Oct 2005.

Any yeah, when I was out at one of the car holding yards for sydney dealers, they had paddocks full of commodores.

looks like our holding yard at Launceston Mitsubishi then.. only theres about 10 brand new magnas sitting in there(in lieu of commys), yet to be sold

Exactly.

I also have a feeling that Holden has purposefully over produced in the last few months for the following reasons:

1. Offer markdowns to counter new falcon and 380
2. To deplete all final stock of the "non Euro 3" Gen 3 LS1
3. To produce as many non Euro-3 compliant cars as possible before the 1 January cut off date (related to point 2).
I agree 100%. Good post. I think the ICAC needs to have a look at this. I imagine it would also interest the federal government since they have bent over backwards since the 1990's with tax cuts, grants and the like to keep MMAL in Australia.

There is already a sizeable number of 380s gathering dust at the back of Mitsubishi's assembly plant in Adelaide. When I compare what Mitsubishi have built to what they have sold, the stockpile of unsold 380s is aproximately 3,000 vehicles. Therefore I am not surprised to hear that Mitsubishi may be scaling back their production plans.

FF

There is already a sizeable number of 380s gathering dust at the back of Mitsubishi's assembly plant in Adelaide. When I compare what Mitsubishi have built to what they have sold, the stockpile of unsold 380s is aproximately 3,000 vehicles. Therefore I am not surprised to hear that Mitsubishi may be scaling back their production plans.

FF

So they have sold approx 2500 vehicles and have 3000 in stockpile ?, also, how do you know MMAL have 3000 380's collecting "dust", if I may ask, do you work for them????.

If it is any consolation I work for Mitsubishi Motors, I also know there is method in the madness of producing to demand.

Mitsubishi are not suffering poor sales in 380, Mitsubishi are on track to be where we need to be coming into the new year, all I can say at this point and time is watch this space....

When I compare what Mitsubishi have built to what they have sold, the stockpile of unsold 380s is aproximately 3,000 vehicles. Holden has about 9,000 on stock around the country, I would suspect ford would have somewhere in between of Holden and Mitsubishis figure.

Of course, considering the fact that most holding yards around the country have currently very low stock of 380s, we could also consider that the vehicles are yet to be dispatched from MMAL?

FF, what on earth do you do mate, as far as I know your based in Victoria?

So they have sold approx 2500 vehicles and have 3000 in stockpile ?, also, how do you know MMAL have 3000 380's collecting "dust", if I may ask, do you work for them????.

You don't have to work for MMAL to be able to step foot on their premises.......

FF

I have shed a lot of blood, sweat and tears on the Mitsubishi 380 over the last two years.

You don't have to work for MMAL to be able to step foot on their premises.......FF
:think: Is this a guessing game?... I hate guessing games...

Why dont you step up to the plate now and tell us what your involvement is... considering it is your thread and the only one on this forum you have actually posted in thus far it seems like you have some other agenda here.

You state that you want to see the 380 succeed, but oddly you have an interesting blend of positive and negative content and tone to your posts... i dunno... meh.

Which of my comments are negative?

FF

Which of my comments are negative?

FF

Not quite the point I was making... I didn't mean to imply that you were being negative straight out, but you seem to favour a pessimistic view on the situation... I think it is your perception of the situation which might be jaded and possibly even mis-informed... i just see it in a different light to you that's all.

Since you are seemingly sworn to secrecy with your involvement with the 380 I will take it that you have some dealings with MMAL, albeit indirect, but for all I know you could have been shedding that 'blood, sweat and tears' as you put it working in a canteen which has been feeding the Mitsu workers for the last two years, and just been listening to a few disgruntled employees, having an unhealthy rant during a smoko break recently.

With respect, I have no reason to believe that you have any authority to be giving us any "inside press", which is your reason for protecting your identity, so I will read your views as I would anyone else on this forum... basically that you are casting your own assumptions and telling us what you think and not what you actually know.

Again, another useless 380 thread full of speculation...

Love all the doom and gloom posters. Especially the ones with Falcon, or Commodore, in their user names. Makes it so much easier to take what they are saying seriously!!!!!!!!!

Mitsubishi really had the worst scenario for launch of the 380, with record fuel prices, this put a slow down on all sales, not just sales of 380's. Even retail stores recorded big downturns!! Its a know fact that when fuel goes up, consumer spending stops.
Anyway I second the 'give it more time' notion, and also think that a '280' 2.4L 380 would be a good idea in the current climate. Maybe just squeeze a couple extra kilowatts out of it, so it doesn't look too bad next to the 2.4L Lancer.

I love how anybody that questions the viability of the 380 and MMAL in general gets flamed in this forum, or the thread just gets locked all of a sudden. It used to annoy me but now it's just a bit comical.

Here's hoping it works for MMAL - it would be bad for the entire auto industry if it doesn't work. It is too early to say, and we need to give them more time. But just remember they need a minimum of 2500 sales per month (and that means every single month without question) to stay in business.

I love how anybody that questions the viability of the 380 and MMAL in general gets flamed in this forum, or the thread just gets locked all of a sudden. It used to annoy me but now it's just a bit comical.
Maybe you don't read all of the threads that well... I can go back and find you some memorable moments if you like... people just get sick of hearing it and we are responding to that. Not everyone will like it like yourself. But we cant please everyone.

Most things that are stated are based on pure guess work and assumption... some people pretend that they are experts on the issue, but few actually have the real facts.

A little bit of knowledge or information can be dangerous.

I am glad you are finding a funny side to it though lol

Anyway I second the 'give it more time' notipending on, and also think that a '280' 2.4L 380 would be a good idea in the current climate. Maybe just squeeze a couple extra kilowatts out of it, so it doesn't look too bad next to the 2.4L Lancer.
The only thing that could be a potential problem with this is that the buying public may look upon the car as being a much smaller vehicle than it really is. Holden did something similar back in '81 when they released the VC Commodore with a 4 cyl engine. This just re-inforced the publics view that the car was smaller than Falcon. Times may have changed though... I would be interested to see what ratio of 4/6 cyl Camrys are sold. It may be a viable option but you have to remember that Toyota's next Camry will be a 4 cyl only car with V6 duties being reserved for an all new large car.

Love all the doom and gloom posters. Especially the ones with Falcon, or Commodore, in their user names. Makes it so much easier to take what they are saying seriously!!!!!!!!!

Sorry I must have missed your point. I think the fact that I drive a fleet BA2 XR6 means that I'm more likely to purchase a new 380 tomorrow than others here with older Magnas, so does that mean their opinion is to be ignored?

I've been advised to stay away from 380's by my fleet advisor simply due to how uncertain everyone is over the Mitsubishi brand. Now does what I've just said become irrelevant because I drive a Ford?

Hello PaulST! This is the third forum I have met you on. Pity I can't talk with you directly on your own forum because of that %$#er Surreal.

HyperTF - your posts indicate to me that you are a level headed person. Therefore you will understand why people who have access to confidential information are unlikely to reveal their sources.

Most people who know me would tell you that I am a pessimist by nature. That is just the way I am. I tell it as I see it. It doesn't mean that I am always correct. Nor am I attempting to sway people to think like me. As I stated earlier in this thread I wanted to generate discussion amongst the members on this forum as I was surprised to see no threads relating to the 380's sales performance. It seems my user name is clouding the issue for some of the members of this forum as they think my presense here is for a sinister purpose.

Be you a pessimist or an optimist, the news released by MMAL today that they are reducing production of the 380 is another sign that things are not going as well as originally planned.

FF

Sure people esp fleet buyers care about resale. The general public however - read "Hyundai, Daewoo, Kia, Ssangyong Owners" can't think that far into the future or intend to keep the car for a good while.

I think the real issues exposed by this thread and in my conversations with people are two-fold:

1) The very sad way Holden has decided to 'deal' with the 380 threat: dump their products onto the market at basement prices - like that's good for resale. Imagine fleet buyers getting some understanding on that situation.

2) That the general public regard the 380 as the "New Magna", not the "All New Mitsubishi 380".

Anyways, not really my problem. I don't work for MMAL, I'm still going to mod the bollocks off my AWD and Reprezent.

I've been advised to stay away from 380's by my fleet advisor simply due to how uncertain everyone is over the Mitsubishi brand. Exactly, no one has been game enough yet to provide adequate resale value forcasts to the fleets, rather everyone is watching with eagle eyes as to whether MMAL will readdress its pricing structure in the dismal way the Magna was discounted.


1) The very sad way Holden has decided to 'deal' with the 380 threat.... like that's good for resale. Imagine fleet buyers getting some understanding on that situation. With the VE around the corner I doubt Holden would be too concerned with the "last of series" resale. Traditionally these cars always have the worst resale over the entire range. Also, their mega marketing machine and brand awareness will never let a dark cloud storm their sky.

1) The very sad way Holden has decided to 'deal' with the 380 threat: dump their products onto the market at basement prices - like that's good for resale. Imagine fleet buyers getting some understanding on that situation.

Holden have enough problems of their own. Their employee discount scheme hasn't increase sales as much as they'd have hoped so their fighting just as much as Mitsubishi are to keep going. If Holden were still selling 8000 Commodes a month they may be nice, but not when they're struggling at 5000.


2) That the general public regard the 380 as the "New Magna", not the "All New Mitsubishi 380".
I agree.

Holden have enough problems of their own. Their employee discount scheme hasn't increase sales as much as they'd have hoped so their fighting just as much as Mitsubishi are to keep going. If Holden were still selling 8000 Commodes a month they may be nice, but not when they're struggling at 5000.


I agree.


Ahhhh we are being over run with holden and ford people

Ahhhh we are being over run with holden and ford people
Is that a problem? We're all car enthuiasts... Well I think you are.

Ahhhh we are being over run with holden and ford people

I haven't seen any Holden people on this forum. Does our presence bother you? You are welcome to visit www.fordforums.com.au if you like.

I am a supporter of the Australian automotive industry and am concerned about MMAL's situation. Hence my recent arrival to this forum and posts relating to the new 380 model.

FF

I haven't seen any Holden people on this forum.

Well now you have :badgrin: By the way, I think you guys are being way too sensitive and harsh on Falcon Freak. He hasn't said anything offensive about Mitsubishi at all, rather asked a question whether or not anyone here knew why 380s weren't selling very well.

I am of the belief that any car which is reliable, good-looking and performs well will sell itself over time.

I see that in the 380. My advice to anyone who wishes to make judgements of the 380 WITHOUT having driven it, get in one and take it for a test drive. I have and I really enjoyed it. I like the exterior design, interior cabin, and especially its performance.

Some people forget that we live in Australia and many of us in the city. In terms of the speeds we can legally travel, we are amongst the slowest in the world. A lot of people want some sort of 200kw - 300kw beast, but the reality is, it's not really worth it unless you intend on taking it on the autobahn, or other places like the NT etc. Despite this, the 380 STILL performs really well.

I think the reasons why the 380 hasn't sold as many as people expected are because:

a) It's a whole new car with a whole new name
b) Some people don't know what a 380 is yet - they haven't seen one
c) It's still early days and some people see it as the "new Magna 380"
d) Mitsubishi has had some bad press over their financial position - buyers are risk averse
e) People may wait to see what happens with depreciation - if it's on par with Magna, they won't buy one new, rather 2nd hand instead
f) There is a delay or lag between when fleet companies can order/pay/receive a 380 and these reflect a lag in sales for the month.
g) TV Advertising has not been the best - many people still don't know the 380 is even out yet

Nice post and welcome to AMC. I saw a burgandy 380 at Warners Bay this arvo and it looked magic! The owner seemed pretty chuffed with himself, and rightly so.

Whatever flag you fly is largely irrelevant. Our aims are the same - enjoy our cars, mod the bollocks off them and give turbo imports a hard time.

Unity - not uniformity.

I think the reasons why the 380 hasn't sold as many as people expected are because:

a) It's a whole new car with a whole new name
b) Some people don't know what a 380 is yet - they haven't seen one
c) It's still early days and some people see it as the "new Magna 380"
d) Mitsubishi has had some bad press over their financial position - buyers are risk averse
e) People may wait to see what happens with depreciation - if it's on par with Magna, they won't buy one new, rather 2nd hand instead
f) There is a delay or lag between when fleet companies can order/pay/receive a 380 and these reflect a lag in sales for the month.
g) TV Advertising has not been the best - many people still don't know the 380 is even out yet


I agree with most of this, I have never bought a new car but I dont know if I would go with a 380 if I was going to, mainly becasue of a) above. My attraction to buying my GTV was the price, the fact that I got so much car for so little money. I am really happy with it but the happiness is enhanced by knowing what I paid for it second hand.

I am curious as to why MMAL didnt go with AWD, I know if has been done to death on another thread, but it would have given the 380 a point of difference and made it a far superior car to its Australian made competitors.

Regarding have a four cyclinder, I dont think its a bad idea, would be interested to see how it has worked for Toyota with the Camry. My understanding is that people accept you can get a Camry in a 4 or 6 and it doesnt colour their opinion of whether it is a 'big' car or not - they make a price point and running cost decision when they purchase either version.

Looking at some of the sales figures quoted its safe to say that underselling is an industry wide problem with big cars at the moment - petrol prices, over production, anticipation of new models, etc suggest that the 380 sales are not being affected by anything other than the state of the market at the moment ie it is not a reflection on the merits of the car.

I am honest enough to say that I hope it sells well even if its a piece of poo, South Australia cant afford to lose the jobs, and the factory's closure would devastate a lot of working class families in the South.

.....I am curious as to why MMAL didnt go with AWD.....

MMAL got burnt on the Ralliart Magna. They budgeted for a build of approximately 1,400 vehicles. In the end they only built half of what they planed as the car didn't sell in the anticipated numbers.

MMAL released an AWD vehicle before Holden's Adventra and Ford's Territory. Pity it didn't succeed as MMAL built the only true AWD sedan. Holden went the jacked up Toyota Hilux look which has failed. Ford went the full SUV route. The two things I didn't like about the Ralliart Magna was the ricer body kit and no manual transmission.

FF

MMAL got burnt on the Ralliart Magna. They budgeted for a build of approximately 1,400 vehicles. In the end they only built half of what they planed as the car didn't sell in the anticipated numbers.

MMAL released an AWD vehicle before Holden's Adventra and Ford's Territory. Pity it didn't succeed as MMAL built the only true AWD sedan. Holden went the jacked up Toyota Hilux look which has failed. Ford went the full SUV route. The two things I didn't like about the Ralliart Magna was the ricer body kit and no manual transmission.

FF

Mate get ur quotes rite MMAL was ONLY ever going to build 1000 ralliarts at a maximum (i worked on the ralliart program) AND the ralliart DID come with a MANUAL gearbox, you are thinking of the AWD which was auto only but i do agree with you on the bodykit.

I am only quoting the numbers which have been told to me. Although I know a little bit about Magnas I am no expert.

FF

Mate get ur facts rite MMAL was ONLY going to build 1000 ralliarts (i worked on the ralliart program) AND the ralliart DID come with a MANUAL gearbox, you are thinking of the AWD which was auto only but i do agree with you on the bodykit.

Steady Jas, long deep breaths, calm blue ocean. There now, isnt that better, ok group hug. lol lol

Forgive him dood, he mean no harm :D

Steady Jas, long deep breaths, calm blue ocean. There now, isnt that better, ok group hug. lol lol

Forgive him dood, he mean no harm :D

Hmmm ok but i think our "visitors" should prehaps read up abit about the cars before posting. lol
I think we'd all agree on that but all is good....... Peace bro :)

Hmmm ok but i think our "visitors" should prehaps read up abit about the cars before posting. lol
I think we'd all agree on that but all is good....... Peace bro :)

No arguement there. :D

Aint it amazing how often a negative comment starts with "I heard" :disgusted

Live long and prosper :D

As for dealer effort, i have seen 4 black 380's roaming the sunshine coast with tint, 18's, and lowered with massive chrome 380 stickers all over them. Will get a photo next time i have the camera with me... :D

I've just read that the new VFacts to be released on Jan 5th 2006 will start including info such as how many were sold to fleets, government and private buyers. It'll be interesting to see what that mix is for the 380, and the Falcodore.

The two things I didn't like about the Ralliart Magna was the ricer body kit and no manual transmission.

FF

mmm right... no manual tranmission...

yeh ok you know what your talking about :nuts:

*edited by moderator*

mmm right... no manual tranmission...

yeh ok you know what your talking about :nuts:

*edited by moderator*

Wow, ease up there buddy. He made a simple mistake on specs, no need to get all agro on the guy. So he posted a discussion on the apparent slow sales figures of the 380, I doubt he is here to start trouble, although I believe his concern for the low figures is not needed as the conditions in witch the 380 was released in wheren't the best. I suspect dales will gradually build up steam.

It's a good car, so it will sell.