Mitsubishi revs up 380 sales
Sales of ailing car maker Mitsubishi's new 380 have improved, with 1,011 cars sold for the month of February.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries official sales figures show that is a 41 per cent increase on the 719 sold in January.

However, Mitsubishi is looking to sell 27,000 Adelaide-built 380s a year or about 2,100 a month.

The ABC's motoring commentator, Will Hagen, says the car maker still has a way to go to reach target levels.

"They're having a tough time as the large car market is generally for Falcon and Commodore," he said.

"But they're having the toughest time of all because, you know, it is so hard to turn around a momentum and this is a downward momentum obviously and a public perception."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200603/s1583391.htm

Hmm... 1,011 sales. Does this include fleet sales? Because I thought they'd be more then this. But hey, atleast they have improved.

41% increase is nothing to sneeze at. If that's without fleet sales then it's not looking too bad.
Although I think it would include some fleet sales, which should increase some more in March.
It won't be easy for the 380 to do well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

41% increase is nothing to sneeze at. If that's without fleet sales then it's not looking too bad.
Although I think it would include some fleet sales, which should increase some more in March.
It won't be easy for the 380 to do well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Yeah true, the increase of 41% over January is quite substantial, and while it isn't to the levels Mitsu would like, it is a good result in the declining large-car market and is hopefully the begginning of the sales build up of the model.

And as for fleets. I don't think it includes all of them, but some. As some fleets were ordered towards the end of the month and probably aren't ready for despatch (if they wanted additional equipment fitted or interstate).

Saw a 380 today actually, only the 2nd one of ever seen on the road. Nearly crashed too, i did a double take in my rear view mirror and just was staring at it :P

i was having high expectations when soemeon here said mmal sold like over 1000 10 days ago :) , yeah thats not really a good figure, really hope it improves and what you said about fleet sales are true.

But realistically if the slaes dont improve soon, then its gonna be hard for them to achieve their original target. the longer sales stay at that level, then its more unlikely ofr them to achiver 27000 per year

i was having high expectations when soemeon here said mmal sold like over 1000 10 days ago , yeah thats not really a good figure, really hope it improves and what you said about fleet sales are true.

But realistically if the slaes dont improve soon, then its gonna be hard for them to achieve their original target. the longer sales stay at that level, then its more unlikely ofr them to achiver 27000 per year

LOL. yeah your right that person who said "MMAL sold like over 1,000 10 days ago". I asked the guy at Agostino Mitsubishi and that's what he said to me. But, he was probably including all of the CBA orders and other fleet orders, etc. So March should once again improve on February.

About your second point, I agree. While sales are improving if they don't improve fast enough I don't see how they are going to reach 27,000 sales per year. BUT! mind you, MM (Japan Headcourters) is making a profit rather then a loss now (which hasn't happened in a long time). Mitsubishi US situation is meant to be improving with the Eclipse rocketing through sales, and Europe's sales staying steady with the Colt, L200 and Lancer selling well. Now, if they can retain profit for the rest of the year, and MMAL situation improves (lets say they sell 20,000 - 22,000 cars this year) MM Japan may consider injecting more model and apparently could consider producing another model here on the Tonsley Park's excess capacity; and from what I have heard, Mitsu's Tonsley Park plant has the capacity to build around 200 cars a day (at max capacity). So Mitsu's sales do improve things could work out really really well for MMAL and we may see employee positions retained and possibly more employees employed. I know now it seems weird predicting something that has a chance of happening, but rembemer, Mitsu are going to update the 380 this year, why also releasing a new Triton (which is selling well with its European debut), a Colt-Cabriolet, and possibly the high selling GENII Outlander SUV (which could come Q4, 2005 - if we are lucky). With all these models (and upgrade on the 380) a lot more people will be coming through mitsu's showrooms, and more traffic equals more sales. So yeah... things should be on the up!

And now they also have exposure for the Lancer (and the Mitsu brand) on wheel of fortune which has a decent amount of ppl viewing it as it has the no.1 timeslot for its time of night; I just wish someone would go to WOF and take the hubcaps off the lancer and replace them with mags. I reckon the next car on WOF will be a 380 as I remember they had a Verada on there once like over a year ago. And hey, atleast its exposure that doesn't doubt the future of MMAL's positon.

and from what I have heard, Mitsu's Tonsley Park plant has the capacity to build around 200 cars a day (at max capacity).

What you heard is incorrect. I remember the days back in 1997 when the Tonsley Park plant was assembling almost 280 cars per day in a single shift.


Mitsu are going to update the 380 this year,

They are?

FF

What you heard is incorrect. I remember the days back in 1997 when the Tonsley Park plant was assembling almost 280 cars per day in a single shift.


I am going by an economics review book for the year 2004. It stated that the Tonsley Park plant could produce up to around 200 cars a day and that at this time it was only producing above 50-60 cars a day.


They are?
Yes. I have been told that just after the VE's release Mitsubishi will update the model. An employee who works at the Tonsley Park factory told me, I don't doubt him as he told me even before the 380 was released that the original 380 would only have one engine option across the 380 range, despite this I didn't beleive him because of what the magazines and net said; well what ended up happening there? So for now I'll take his word for it.

I wouldn't expect a huge update. Maybe a few bits here and there. It will only have been a year or so since its release by the time the VE is out. From what I've seen, MMAL will release the Ralliart version which will only be what the VRX should've been. No doubt they can do a lot more but obviously they can't just pump huge $$$ and have it blow up in their faces. They're taking baby steps right now and I can't blame them. Something will have to go in their favour for them to do well.

I am going by an economics review book for the year 2004. It stated that the Tonsley Park plant could produce up to around 200 cars a day and that at this time it was only producing above 50-60 cars a day.

Well I am going by what I saw at that time at Tonsley Park and how many TE/KE models and the just released export Diamante model they were building. MMAL was doing great at that time. You won't find that in any economics literature.

FF

What you heard is incorrect. I remember the days back in 1997 when the Tonsley Park plant was assembling almost 280 cars per day in a single shift.
FF

Correct. I remember my father was doing double shifts there at this time and a figure of 276 units comes to mind.

Well I am going by what I saw at that time at Tonsley Park and how many TE/KE models and the just released export Diamante model they were building. MMAL was doing great at that time. You won't find that in any economics literature.

FF

I wasn't saying you were wrong; and I wasn't trying to cause an argument, sorry if it seemed like I was. I agree that it would've been possible when the TE/KE was released because I remember the front of the Advertiser when Mitsubishi were hiring more people in there factory. So yeah, at that stage it could have well being 280+ cars a day. Regarding the Diamante, at that time had decent sales in the USA and NZ, and due to its features at that time, it succeeded. Only when it became they dated model that people got sick of it, especially when they brang out the KL/TL model, alot of people said the front didn't look that bad, but said the rear end needed updating and it desperately needed a new interior. With this, it could have kept its success in the US.

Anyway, if the 380 does sell well like this if it ever makes it to GENII it would be great to see MMAL with these production levels again. Well it may seem unachievable, it isn't. If they ended up building a GENII 380 here, got a contract to supply Europe and also were able to build the RHD version of the Eclipse here it could very well happen. But, for this to happen the 380 would have to sell decent numbers first. And I don't think MM would hesitate in doing so as it would help the entire range in terms of sales. In fact, it has been the number 1 selling sports coupe in the USA for the last 15 years, so why wouldn't it sell here?

Correct. I remember my father was doing double shifts there at this time and a figure of 276 units comes to mind.

This is the amount of cars they could be building if they contoured the 380 exactly to what consumers want.

By the way, (as I can't remember, we had holdens back in 96), but, did sales of the KE instantly take off or was there a period like the 380 experiencing (but in higher numbers of course)?, before sales increase.

This is the amount of cars they could be building if they contoured the 380 exactly to what consumers want.

By the way, (as I can't remember, we had holdens back in 96), but, did sales of the KE instantly take off or was there a period like the 380 experiencing (but in higher numbers of course)?, before sales increase.

AFAIK the TE/KE was a bit of a sleeper to start off with as well... and it was car of the year at the time also etc etc.

AFAIK the TE/KE was a bit of a sleeper to start off with as well... and it was car of the year at the time also etc etc.


As was the VE Valiant, Leyland P76 and the original TM Magna.

Being COTY doesn't equal a great Car. Just means the Company impressed enough of the judges to get the votes.

The 1011 includes fleet sales.


Well I am going by what I saw at that time at Tonsley Park and how many TE/KE models and the just released export Diamante model they were building.
Well their not using the same production line that they were using back in 96/97, nor production techniques.

does anyone know where you can get the full figures? autoindusties.com.au is a bit useless, it only shows stats by make, not model

does anyone know where you can get the full figures? autoindusties.com.au is a bit useless, it only shows stats by make, not model
Vfacts is released by the federal chamber of automotive industries - you can get some of the detailed report here: http://www.fcai.com.au/sales.php/2006/02/introduction.html

does anyone know where you can get the full figures? autoindusties.com.au is a bit useless, it only shows stats by make, not model

Wheels magazine prints it each month, including total models sold, and makes.
Think Wheels get the most accurate one which is from the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statisitics, which uses VFATS figures).
Mistsubishi was once 4th overall for total market share, with Magna/Verada 5th in overall vehicles, and even lancer 7th....how times have changed. Lets hope it improves this year for the sake of the Australian Automotive Industry, not just MMAL, with more people buying Aussies cars.......

Well their not using the same production line that they were using back in 96/97, nor production techniques.

So what you are saying is that MMAL's productivity has decreased in the last 10 years?:bowrofl:

MMAL in 1997: two engine types, two body styles, RHD and LHD variants
MMAL in 2006: one engine, one body and only RHD

Even if MMAL's productivity didn't increase in the last 10 years, the reduction in the number of model variants could result in an increase in output.

Plus the last time I was at Tonsley Park, I saw that MMAL was still using the same production line I first saw in use in 1995.

And you accuse me of trolling..........

FF

Originally Posted by dave_au
Well their not using the same production line that they were using back in 96/97, nor production techniques.


Reply by Falcon Freak
So what you are saying is that MMAL's productivity has decreased in the last 10 years?

:stoopid:

The smaller amount of cars that is being produced is in order with the new managment system (Which I agree with) that is that car are made in pace with demand. Not like privous models were cars were made and stock piled.

The production line could produce more cars, but will not untill demand picks up. The production line will also be able to produce more cars than the magna production line due to new pressing equipment being used.

The smaller amount of cars that is being produced is in order with the new managment system (Which I agree with) that is that car are made in pace with demand. Not like privous models were cars were made and stock piled.

The production line could produce more cars, but will not untill demand picks up. The production line will also be able to produce more cars than the magna production line due to new pressing equipment being used.

As you state above about the new management system, do you mean that they can adapt to demand rather then building a set amount of cars; therefore, they won't build too many and resort to discounting and they are only building those according to demand.

And with this, does this mean that if Mitsubishi had a lower amount of employees and no redundancy payments to make, that they would still maintain a profit at the current quantity of cars being manufactured?

Why it is most likely that sales will increase, I just was thinking on a right here, right now basis as to if they were making a profit at current levels and if they possibly could.

So what you are saying is that MMAL's productivity has decreased in the last 10 years?

And you accuse me of trolling..........

Well I think you are a troller. I can't see you having any proven interest in the 380. You work in the motor industry, yet you refuse to tell anyone what you actually do because you claim its "classified". I really think you've got some sort of alterior motive.

MMAL has undertaken new production techniques and new equipment eg tab building on the 380 - the methods of construction from the 3rd gen to the 380 have changed considerably, probably meaning that they won't produce as many cars as what they once did, but the cars they do produce are higher quality. The fact that someone has found a journal from 2004 on the production capabilities of the MMAL plant which states a lesser amount than 96/97 aides in evidence - what your talking about is 8/9 years ago now, robots change, techniques change, suppliers change, quality changes, managament systems change.

Well I think you are a troller. I can't see you having any proven interest in the 380. You work in the motor industry, yet you refuse to tell anyone what you actually do because you claim its "classified". I really think you've got some sort of alterior motive.

:bowrofl: :bowrofl: :bowrofl: Remember this is the man who doubts that i know remotely anything about a Falcon update later this year. As long as he feels as though he is one up on everyone he is happy. I know i will probably get shot for this... Apologies in advance.

Remember this is the man who doubts that i know remotely anything about a Falcon update later this year. As long as he feels as though he is one up on everyone he is happy. I know i will probably get shot for this... Apologies in advance.

That's true. People do exist in society who get pleasure of being 'one better' or 'one ahead' of someone else. He is one of these people; an ignorant man of knowledge. What kind of person is this??

A Falcon driver! :badgrin:

A Falcon driver! :badgrin:

hah, now now! :P It's not about brand warfare or loyalty on a forums level!

Im sure some other people on here have owned falcons before /rollseyes

hah, now now! It's not about brand warfare or loyalty on a forums level!

Im sure some other people on here have owned falcons before /rollseyes

LOL! Speaking of Falcons -
My parents were going to buy a BA instead of the Verada back in '02 but didn't because of the problems they had in the early 90's with the EB Fairmont they bought brand new. In our house you can't mention the word 'Ford' and 'Loyalty' in the same sentence; if you do my dad will tell you his life story about automobile experiences.

hah, now now! :P It's not about brand warfare or loyalty on a forums level!

Im sure some other people on here have owned falcons before /rollseyes

We have a new Terretory sitting in the garage next to my Magna. Also have a BF company car sitting in the drive way. But we have had a TN, TS, 3 TFs and a TH Magna at one time or another lol

That's true. People do exist in society who get pleasure of being 'one better' or 'one ahead' of someone else. He is one of these people; an ignorant man of knowledge. What kind of person is this?

A Verada driver!!!:D

Yep I'm one of these types too. I can tell you all I know something about every aussie car in the future that none of you know about yet. :dancin: Seeing as I have great difficulty in getting laid I get sensual satisfaction in conjuring up, er, I mean, thoroughly researching these facts. The following is what I know that none of you know...

1) The 380 will be released in an AWD Turbo wagon variant before the end of 2007.
2) The Toyota Aurion will be part-time 4WD and you can choose b/w FWD and RWD coz Toyota have the dosh to do so.
3) Next Gen Ford Falcon will be called Orion in conjunction with it's code name.
4) Holden's VE Commodore will have final development issues and won't be released til May 2007. (unlikely, but in all seriousness here's hoping:badgrin: )

Anyway, back to the sales subject. I don't know about you guys but every sales result for the 380 to date has been a major disappointment for me... except this one. It's good how MMAL have another bluntly honest CEO in Rob McEniry. So let us as hope to see a 1500+ result for March.:pray:

1) The 380 will be released in an AWD Turbo wagon variant before the end of 2007.
2) The Toyota Aurion will be part-time 4WD and you can choose b/w FWD and RWD coz Toyota have the dosh to do so.
3) Next Gen Ford Falcon will be called Orion in conjunction with it's code name.
4) Holden's VE Commodore will have final development issues and won't be released til May 2007. (unlikely, but in all seriousness here's hoping:badgrin: )

Ohh, i love scoop info!

1) Looking foward to that!:bowrofl:
2) Very interesting...
3) I havent heard that one yet...
4) A Commodore will always have final development issues!

Now back to February sales...

A Verada driver!!!

Yep I'm one of these types too. I can tell you all I know something about every aussie car in the future that none of you know about yet. Seeing as I have great difficulty in getting laid I get sensual satisfaction in conjuring up, er, I mean, thoroughly researching these facts. The following is what I know that none of you know...

1) The 380 will be released in an AWD Turbo wagon variant before the end of 2007.
2) The Toyota Aurion will be part-time 4WD and you can choose b/w FWD and RWD coz Toyota have the dosh to do so.
3) Next Gen Ford Falcon will be called Orion in conjunction with it's code name.
4) Holden's VE Commodore will have final development issues and won't be released til May 2007. (unlikely, but in all seriousness here's hoping )

Anyway, back to the sales subject. I don't know about you guys but every sales result for the 380 to date has been a major disappointment for me... except this one. It's good how MMAL have another bluntly honest CEO in Rob McEniry. So let us as hope to see a 1500+ result for March.

That's funny **** man. Absolutely love it. By the way, I also drive a Verada (sometimes).

Can't wait for the turbo wagon, sounds sweet. And the VE commodore delay, what can I say; just expected. When will that Elizabeth crowd ever pull themselves together?

that Elizabeth crowd pull themselves together?
Im not saying a word! :bowrofl:

A Verada driver!!!:D

Yep I'm one of these types too. I can tell you all I know something about every aussie car in the future that none of you know about yet. :dancin: Seeing as I have great difficulty in getting laid I get sensual satisfaction in conjuring up, er, I mean, thoroughly researching these facts. The following is what I know that none of you know...

1) The 380 will be released in an AWD Turbo wagon variant before the end of 2007.
2) The Toyota Aurion will be part-time 4WD and you can choose b/w FWD and RWD coz Toyota have the dosh to do so.
3) Next Gen Ford Falcon will be called Orion in conjunction with it's code name.
4) Holden's VE Commodore will have final development issues and won't be released til May 2007. (unlikely, but in all seriousness here's hoping:badgrin: )

Anyway, back to the sales subject. I don't know about you guys but every sales result for the 380 to date has been a major disappointment for me... except this one. It's good how MMAL have another bluntly honest CEO in Rob McEniry. So let us as hope to see a 1500+ result for March.:pray:


About the falcon becoming the Orion,have hear a little about that.Dont be surpise all australia cars will go that way.:shock:

About the falcon becoming the Orion,have hear a little about that.Dont be surpise all australia cars will go that way.:shock:

cant see it happening, too many people will confuse toyota and ford

Yep, thats, er, the idea :shifty:

man i am slow this mornin... did read the guys who message

Are you guys saying the cars will all be named the same??? :confused:

Are you guys saying the cars will all be named the same??? :confused:
Dont know what the guys are on about, although you have the Hyundai Accent and the Toyota Corolla Ascent, Subaru Outback and the Mitsubishi Outlander

Are you guys saying the cars will all be named the same??? :confused:

No not I said,what I talking about is this,that the bosse's in the USA(owners of ford/holden)will changed things like names of our cars and other things:nuts: They want to do their way.

What worries me about a name change is that if Ford decide to do it, they will be pissing away 46 years of the Falcon name in Australia. And if they do change it the car will always be seen as a "Falcon". I suppose its a similar thing with the 380 being called the new Magna...

What worries me about a name change is that if Ford decide to do it, they will be pissing away 46 years of the Falcon name in Australia. And if they do change it the car will always be seen as a "Falcon". I suppose its a similar thing with the 380 being called the new Magna...

You just said itlol