Just read this from Goauto news :-
Quote "MITSUBISHI Australia has reacted cautiously
to United States claims that the next-generation right-hand drive Mitsubishi large car will be
sourced solely from the US. An Automotive News report in the US, quoting
a Japanese newspaper, said Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) could export the nextgeneration Galant sedan from its Illinois plant in the United States to Europe, Japan and the Middle East.
The daily Nikkan Kogyo has said production of the next Galant will cease in Japan, making
the Illinois factory the global source for the car, including right-hand drive markets.
There was no mention of Australia’s role in the next-generation car.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia spokesman Kevin Taylor could neither confi rm nor deny the report
after an urgent communique to Japan seeking clarification."

check out the news at http://www.mellor.net.au/mellor/mellorweb.nsf/weben/GoAuto%20e-News

Only good news is the US Eclipse may be made it right hand drive.

Aussie build better cars than the Yanks

yeah heard about this on the galant forums, it wont be the 380 tho...sure the 380 is galant based, but it aint the galant. the galant is in the US, japan, europe etc, which is where the US will b exporting it 2. 380 will stay ausse made, no doubt about that

exactly, 380 is specific to Australia and New Zealand, it is not the same as the Galant and will be produced in Australia

exactly, 380 is specific to Australia and New Zealand, it is not the same as the Galant and will be produced in Australia

You guys are forgeting something. The 380 is based on the Galant platform with alot of changes. Yes 380 won award with Mitsubishi Japan. The Goauto article states that the face lift galant will be produced in right hand so this face lift could have all changes of our 380

I believe that Mitsubishi Parent company needs to recognise the great effort in designing and building our 380 and reward the staff with the opportunity with exporting Right hand drives to the World :D

You guys are forgeting something. The 380 is based on the Galant platform with alot of changes.


sure the 380 is galant based, but it aint the galant.

*cough* umm not forgetting, but its a different car. changes made to the car in america wont affect us unless they think it'll suit our market, as in features etc. same as they probably wont make the exact same galant for the US, european and asian markets, there will be differences.

thats why the 380 is supposedly a car for australia, they made it to suit our conditions and needs.

You guys are forgeting something. The 380 is based on the Galant platform with alot of changes. Yes 380 won award with Mitsubishi Japan. The Goauto article states that the face lift galant will be produced in right hand so this face lift could have all changes of our 380

I believe that Mitsubishi Parent company needs to recognise the great effort in designing and building our 380 and reward the staff with the opportunity with exporting Right hand drives to the World :D

These types of articles do not help MMAL's plight (http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/2B76FB7B018E0E9CCA2570D7000F52A6)

The 380 and Galant have more in common than MMAL is publicly willing to admit. That is not to detract from the 380. Within the Mitsubishi world the 380 is better regarded then the Galant upon which it is based.

What is really hurting MMAL is no large volume LHD exports based on the 380. Up to the recent past the LHD exports covered any short fall in domestic sales.

If only they didn't can the L version...........

FF

I agree Mitsubishi finally recognise the skills of the Mitsubishi Australia. Give them the chance to export to the world.

By the way Mitsubishi has pulled out of WRC

Honestly I don't think Mitsubishi Motors Oz will close down. Japan will final realise that the money they sent on the 380 (600 million) is worth every cent. MMAL has built high quality car that can and Should be Exported

Honestly I don't think Mitsubishi Motors Oz will close down. Japan will final realise that the money they sent on the 380 (600 million) is worth every cent. MMAL has built high quality car that can and Should be Exported

MMAL was almost permanently closed last year.

Regardless of how good a car is, if it doesn't at minimum repay the money invested to design and manufacture the vehicle, nobody will continue to pour money into a loss making operation forever.

Can be exported? The 380 is only being built in RHD versions. Therefore the export potential is unfortunately very limited.

FF

The 380 is only being built in RHD versions. Therefore the export potential is unfortunately very limited.

FF

well truck me! Where the hell did they export all those Diamantes too? :nuts:

Can be exported? The 380 is only being built in RHD versions. Therefore the export potential is unfortunately very limited.

FF

but it was taken from a LHD platform, all the parts are there to convert it and could easily be done on the tonsley production line.

australia's build quality is very high (yes, including Holden and Ford, just read some of the USA reviews of the GTO, most go into great detail even about minor things like glovebox "strength" and the stitching details)

MMAL need this, and could be a huge contender to take over some of the production, unfortunately australias downfall is production expenses are high compared to other countries

Yeah, but couldn't they use MMAL for exports to europe? It would make sense rather then spending money on equipment to make the car RHD in the US. The Australian verison (380) looks better then the US version (Galant) and people from Europe would probably be more likely to buy our verison. The best car for Europe would be a 380 LX and GT only but possibly give them another name (or drop the tags). Also, things such as heated seats and mirrors would have to be taken from the Galant.

Though, if Mitsubishi are serious about exporting either the 380 or the Galant to Europe they would have to bring the car up to European standards by adding:
-Curtain airbags, possibly knee airbags
-More advanced traction control system along with ESP
-Rain sensing wipers and Light sensitive headlights
-Make Sat-Nav standard on GT model

Can be exported? The 380 is only being built in RHD versions. Therefore the export potential is unfortunately very limited.
:nuts: :nuts:
FF

You didn't read the Goauto news did you. :bowrofl: The Article states exporting RHD cars from the US to Europe, Janpan and Middle East.

Not LHD cars to the US. So Australia is in the perfect position to export these cars to these markets. SO EXPORT POTENTIAL IS THEREFORE NOT LIMITED lol lol

Yes I did. It it obvious that you didn't read it very carefully. The article on page three states that: "...MMC could export the next generation Galant sedan from its Illinois plant in the United States to Europe, Japan and the Middle East."

There is no mention of exporting RHD 380s, nor is there any mention of MMAL creating a LHD version of the 380 for export.

FF

Yes I did. It it obvious that you didn't read it very carefully. The article on page three states that: "...MMC could export the next generation Galant sedan from its Illinois plant in the United States to Europe, Japan and the Middle East."

There is no mention of exporting RHD 380s, nor is there any mention of MMAL creating a LHD version of the 380 for export.

FF
I know they did not mention exporting RHD or LHD. I just saying that Mitsubishi Japan should look at the Australian Product and actually export to Japan instead of sourcing it from the US. So therefore securing Australia jobs

Haha, wouldnt be nice if there was just a little more noticible differentiation between the 380 and Gallant - mitsubishi could have pulled a Honda Accord/Honda Accord Euro.

I know they did not mention exporting RHD or LHD. I just saying that Mitsubishi Japan should look at the Australian Product and actually export to Japan instead of sourcing it from the US. So therefore securing Australia jobs

Then I guess an apology is forthcoming for your previous post where you riddiculed my comments:
" :nuts: :nuts: "
" :bowrofl: "

FF

Yeah, but couldn't they use MMAL for exports to europe? It would make sense rather then spending money on equipment to make the car RHD in the US. The Australian verison (380) looks better then the US version (Galant) and people from Europe would probably be more likely to buy our verison. The best car for Europe would be a 380 LX and GT only but possibly give them another name (or drop the tags). Also, things such as heated seats and mirrors would have to be taken from the Galant.

Though, if Mitsubishi are serious about exporting either the 380 or the Galant to Europe they would have to bring the car up to European standards by adding:
-Curtain airbags, possibly knee airbags
-More advanced traction control system along with ESP
-Rain sensing wipers and Light sensitive headlights
-Make Sat-Nav standard on GT model

The thing is, will they be able to make LHD 380's (remember, most of Europe, with the exception of the UK and Ireland, are LHD, same as the States)? Is Tonsley Park still set up to make LHD 380's like it was with the Diamante?

Everyone needs to move away from thinking that the 380 could easily enter the european market - the toyota camry sells in the UK for about the price of a mid level 3 series BMW - I know what I'd choose.

Have you nothing better to do dave_au then come to the Mitsubishi site to ridicule the 380?
gawd life must be exciting.....

Have u nothing better to do then come to the Mitsubishi site to ridicule the 380?
Got life must be exciting.....

Agreed.

Move on - or be moved on.

If MMC had any sense at all they would source right-hand drive "Galants" from Australia. A 380 rebadged as a Galant would suffice.

Why create another line at Illonois for a RHD Galant when they already have one in the empire. Seems damn stupid to me.

I know they did not mention exporting RHD or LHD. I just saying that Mitsubishi Japan should look at the Australian Product and actually export to Japan instead of sourcing it from the US. So therefore securing Australia jobs
They dont care about jobs, they want the cars cheaper.

Where they make the cars,it come down to money.Remember we are now importing cars from china.If we are not carefull,we be like NZ,all cars will be imported. :nuts:

I dont mind that though

The only bad thing about getting cars inported is that sometimes to get replacement parts, they have to be sent over, which takes time, and can be expensive. If mitsubishi closed down all their sh!t here, would cause alot of damage to the economy, as there are quite a few businesses who depend on mitsubishi building their cars here. If there are RHD markets out there, it makes sense to export from australia, but this may not be the most cost effective measure.

It is not true that holden import some of it parts,beside the 5.7 engine?

Hey guys, this is my first post... whoo hoo!

Anywhoz, apart from the 6L GenIV nee 5.7 GenIII over the last few years GMH has progressively been awarding contracts to cheaper and IMO lesser quality foreign suppliers, major parts are still made here ie; windows, seats, carpets, most plastic interior and exterior trims, exhausts, axles, engines (alloytec only) but this is changing. Since the last of the VX series it has been noticed that a larger proportion of parts are being sourced offshore, and this does not bode well for the upcoming VE, although a good looking and very large car (actually looks like a 380, especially in the door and decklid areas the similarities are striking) it is reported to be containing probably no more than 55% of Australian made parts... This is a concern because if Holden really "means a great deal to Australia" then you would think that they would put thier money where there mouth is and support Aussie Jobs. With Australian componentry reported to be 75% Toyota, Mitsubishi, and 80%- 85% for Ford it begs the question weather Australia means a great deal to Holden. From the looks of it... NO!

I have the article about the VE component manufacturing somewhere. I will scan it and upload it tomorrow. Yeah your right the VE is gonna have 55% Australian parts content. I think that is horrible.... what does Holden honestly mean to Aus? I also heard that some parts are coming from China and Korea so I don't know what to think. Yeah... the VE rear end and side angle does look similar to the VE (But hey the lights on the back of a VY are similar looking to a the TJ/TL, as pointed out in the Advertiser a few years ago b4 the release of the VY).

Yeah and as for part components I heard Mitsu was way up at 88% with the Magna/Verada range and have dropped back to around 75% with the 380 and Toyota are only around 70%. Ford are meant to have just above 80% AUS part content. I don't know how accurate these figures are but they were in the paper not that long ago.

Yeah it looks like Holden will have the lowest level of local made content. I think Toyota are trying to increase their level of local content though. I believe the current Camry had a lot more than the previous model.

All that aside, I think lowering tariffs is eventually going to kill local manufacturing, and that pisses me off.

If MMC had any sense at all they would source right-hand drive "Galants" from Australia. A 380 rebadged as a Galant would suffice.

Why create another line at Illonois for a RHD Galant when they already have one in the empire. Seems damn stupid to me.

No wonder Mitsubishi is in the ****, the execs are bloody stupid! I bet even if our cars cost more to build, the volumes that are produced would not be enough to offset the cost of building a RHD production line.