Faced with the continuing decline of the large-car segment, Mitsubishi has introduced a discount model of its make-or-break 380 sedan masked as a limited-edition with total savings of nearly $6700.

The limited-edition 380, priced at $29,990 plus on-road costs in five-speed manual form and $31,490 in five-speed automatic with manual function, represents a saving of $4500 over the base model. It also adds reversing sensors, alloy wheels, a Bluetooth phone system and fog lamps valued at $2200.

Just 1000 Mitsubishi 380 LEs will be available nationally and all are based on 2005-build stock.

These features are on top of standard dual front and side airbags, climate control air-conditioning, anti-lock brakes, a four-way power driver's seat, cruise control, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, steering wheel remote controls and an anti-theft immobiliser.

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Despite assurances in December by its new managing director, Rob McEniry, that it would not resort to discounting, Mitsubishi's hand has been forced by the parlous state of the large-car market and heavy discounts by its competitors.

The large-car segment slipped by 15.6 per cent in January compared with the same month last year. However, some individual models showed larger declines, the Toyota Camry V6 fell by 26 per cent, Ford Falcon by 25.4 per cent and the Holden Commodore by 16 per cent.

January is customarily a slow sales month for the large-car segment, however the Mitsubishi 380 achieved just 719 sales, well below its initial projected monthly target of 2500 and down on the 947 sold in December.

Despite this, its market share remained at 11 per cent against it rivals. The company has now confirmed a local production target of about 2100 units per month.

Last week the South Australian carmaker announced it had sold 1500 vehicles to the Commonwealth Bank in a large fleet deal, 900 of which were for the 380 sedan. At the same time it confirmed an earlier announcement that it would tailor production to suit orders by closing its factory for three weeks in March.

Despite the announcement, it advised its dealers that it had taken orders last week for 962 units, its best week for sales since June last year.

February is expected to reflect a better sales performance for the 380. This is despite a large-car segment over-burdened with 2005-build models. Discounts on 2005 Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons are now being advertised anywhere from $7000 up to $16,000 for the higher-grade performance models.

yeah, its discounting, thats also the price on tv, but if you think about it, they gotta slash the prices, coz the falcon and commodores are all discounting to around the 30k mark, atm you can pick up a brand new v8 (xr8,ss) for a touch over 40k DRIVE AWAY!

yeah, its discounting, thats also the price on tv, but if you think about it, they gotta slash the prices, coz the falcon and commodores are all discounting to around the 30k mark, atm you can pick up a brand new v8 (xr8,ss) for a touch over 40k DRIVE AWAY!

yeah true, i guess, the main thing new in the article is that theyve done better in feb which is good news

I was speaking to a guy in the servicing department today when we were getting the KJ serviced and he said orders are around 1,000 so far this month and should be around 1,300 - 1,400 by the end of the month; if not more. All in all February doesn't seem a bad month then, hey, its not the 2,100 they now aim for but it's increasing which can atleast release some tension about the future of MMAL.

I was speaking to a guy in the servicing department today when we were getting the KJ serviced and he said orders are around 1,000 so far this month and should be around 1,300 - 1,400 by the end of the month; if not more. All in all February doesn't seem a bad month then, hey, its not the 2,100 they now aim for but it's increasing which can atleast release some tension about the future of MMAL.

yeah from the way i read it was that they have sold about 1000 + 900 to the comm bank so they are expecting to reach about 2100

but i should stop talking numbers... the mods might start getting upset.......

yeah from the way i read it was that they have sold about 1000 + 900 to the comm bank so they are expecting to reach about 2100

but i should stop talking numbers... the mods might start getting upset.......
Yeah next couple months should produce good sales figures:) as the Fleet orders roll in, but the ordinary bloke in the street wont touch :cry: em.

yeah from the way i read it was that they have sold about 1000 + 900 to the comm bank so they are expecting to reach about 2100

but i should stop talking numbers... the mods might start getting upset.......

There's no need to take digs at us, grow up.

There's no need to take digs at us, grow up.

:confused:

chill out
i wasnt digging

the car isnt selling because people are still crying about petrol prices (we still have some of the cheapest petrol in the world peoples..) so all large car sales have gone down. Its unfortunate timing for mitsubishi cos its not reallly their fault the car isn't selling, it would be hitting the required 2500 a month quite easily if petrol was still around 80 or even 90 cents a litre

Actually I think the reason the 380 isn't selling is because a) exterior styling, b) very little advertising, c) car is overpriced, d) consumers are worried Mitsubishi will go broke.

I don't think fuel prices are the main reason why the 380 is doing badly. Look at the Ford Territory. They sold something like 25,000 last year, and they guzzle the fuel ALOT.

The 380 should have been around $31 - $32k when it first came out, it's now $30k which is better. Originally the auto version was $36k in base form.

Actually I think the reason the 380 isn't selling is because a) exterior styling, b) very little advertising, c) car is overpriced, d) consumers are worried Mitsubishi will go broke.

I don't think fuel prices are the main reason why the 380 is doing badly. Look at the Ford Territory. They sold something like 25,000 last year, and they guzzle the fuel ALOT.

The 380 should have been around $31 - $32k when it first came out, it's now $30k which is better. Originally the auto version was $36k in base form.

I agree with some of what you said, like the car being overpriced and little advertising, I mean its a new car, were are the dang ads???:rant:

Mitsu will never go broke and leave this country like dihatsu (sp??). But BUILDING cars here from mitsu is a worrie if 380 sales wont get to 2100 per month.

Mitsu is a huge conglomerate that does everything from making light globes to running their own shipping fleet. They might dump the Aus manufacturing plants if it is to their advantage - so, if you don't want to buy a locally made Mitsu that might become an orphan, but you still want to buy Mitsu, get a Lancer, it's imported and the local dealer tells me he won't mind being an importer. We bought a Lancer - roomy, powerful, handles better than a Magna, 15Km / L on a long trip - we are smiling!

Mitsu is a huge conglomerate that does everything from making light globes to running their own shipping fleet. They might dump the Aus manufacturing plants if it is to their advantage - so, if you don't want to buy a locally made Mitsu that might become an orphan, but you still want to buy Mitsu, get a Lancer, it's imported and the local dealer tells me he won't mind being an importer. We bought a Lancer - roomy, powerful, handles better than a Magna, 15Km / L on a long trip - we are smiling!

Hmm, MMAL won't close for a while, but even if they do Mitsubishi on a global scale never will. They have a stable outlook (just upgraded from negative) and it is on an upward trend to recovery. If MMC continues to make a profit more money would be available to give to MMAL and the 380 will come a viable company.

I don't know what Lancer you are referring to but the Manga often handles better than it.

Hey... this thread is past its time now so if one of the mods read this can they close it? I just looked at the date and don't know why I even bothered to reply to it.

Thanx :)