Can anyone post how many 380's were sold during March, or point us to a website which has this information? Cheers.

www.mitsubishi-motors.com.au

Might be too early yet, but they usually post up sales figures.

One of the improvers last month, albeit slow,
was the crucial Mitsubishi 380, with sales going
from 1011 to almost 1200 thanks to a $29,990 LE
model and increasing exposure for the car.

yeah :P

from 1011 to 1200 lol

loooooooong way to go yet!

as long as the numbers are going north, it's all good.

That said, 1500-1800 would have been a much better figure. I just don't think MMAL has a good marketing department in comparison to some other local makers. They certainly aren't spending what some other manufacturers/importers spend on a per vehicle sold basis.

The following is a quote of Mitsu website:


At the same time Mitsubishi's 380 continued its upward climb with a 20% improvement over February's sales (which were in turn a 41% lift over January's). 380 recorded 1210 sales for March.

President and CEO, Mr Robert McEniry said: 'It was good to see an overall improved performance across all our major models, including 380, which continues to follow our planned trend.'

'It is gaining continuing acceptance in the market, and increased its segment share by a further 1.2%, in a category segment that was only up 4.7%.

'That is a very credible effort in an extremely tough large car environment. Our larger fleet customers are telling us that the car's growth since launch has been considerable, and that it is performing much better than some other models.

'The other pleasing factor with March was that our dealers are now reporting continuing improvement in their sales, and 380 VRX was the most prominent seller during March.

1210 isn't that bad acutally. If they can have a marked improvement of around (alteast) 200 extra 380 vehicles next month should be 1400, 1600 for May and so on. So if the 'month on month' sales planning works then the 380 might clock up 20,000 units by the end of the year. Even though 20,000 is still short of the 27,000 they want it is still a solid figure. Personally I reckon that sales will rise and that the end year total (as stated above) will be around 20,000 - 22,000 units. Remember on top of that the NZ 380's which will be another 2,000 - 4,000 units.

If this is the best month ever for the Triton then Mitsubishi's sales will skyrocket around June/July for this model. The new Triton is sooooo advanced for well a ute. The new model is built in Thailand, looks like a more updated version of the new outlander / current pajero and has class leading features such as ESP and 4 airbags (i think curtain airbags are an option). It looks a beaty to.

As for the 380VRX getting the best sales out of the 380 lot thats no suprise. It looks nearly as good as the GT and is a bloody good price. If mitsubishi do a 'mazda-job' (like on the mazda 3) they could use the head lights off the GT/VRX and put them on the base, LX, LS slightly rearrange them and colour them read. Or possibly clear and make the globes appear orange, red and white. Either way it would work better then the current arrangement.

I'm pretty sure that the 'revised 380 lineup' that will be established later on this year will have more hints of the VRX/GT's styling in the other models. Notely the rear end. And according to dealers curtain airbags are going to be standard across the range (now that's a good move).

So by the end of the year more of the public will start to realise how good the 380 really is and will hopefully stop people thinking of MMALs closure.

Nice to see numbers going north.

Also just out of curiosity, what were Magna figures for March in 05? Are there more 380 units/month than the 05 Magnas?

2005 Magna/Verada sales:

JAN: 1023 (380's sold: 719)
FEB: 1782 (380's sold: 1011)
MAR: 1523 (380's sold: 1210)
APR: 699
MAY: 1071
JUN: 1487
JUL: 1710
AUG: 1351

Couldn't find the others. Doesn't look good does it...:(

i cant work out why the 380 isn't selling. I don't accept that its not a good enough car. I blame the marketing department

2005 Magna/Verada sales:

JAN: 1023 (380's sold: 719)
FEB: 1782 (380's sold: 1011)
MAR: 1523 (380's sold: 1210)
APR: 699
MAY: 1071
JUN: 1487
JUL: 1710
AUG: 1351

Couldn't find the others. Doesn't look good does it...

Yeah but you have to consider that before there was kind of two model line ups. The Magna (standard) and the Verada (luxury). As well as this they were also selling an estate version as well. At the moment they are only producing saloons and because some fleet company's may only want a v6 estate it rules out the 380 as an option.

i cant work out why the 380 isn't selling. I don't accept that its not a good enough car. I blame the marketing department

What was/is the price difference ?
Also note the price of fuel then and now.

Yeah but you have to consider that before there was kind of two model line ups. The Magna (standard) and the Verada (luxury). As well as this they were also selling an estate version as well. At the moment they are only producing saloons and because some fleet company's may only want a v6 estate it rules out the 380 as an option.

Yeah but it doesn't look good. It should be selling more and it's not - that isn't good. Of course there are many factors inc more variants etc, however:

1) Only around 3% of all magna's sold (inc verada) were wagons

2) The 380 covers both iterations of what magna AND verada offered (LX for example)

3) Petrol prices.

One of the improvers last month, albeit slow,
was the crucial Mitsubishi 380, with sales going
from 1011 to almost 1200 thanks to a $29,990 LE
model and increasing exposure for the car.
Personally id buy that, dont know about anyone here, but that deal is GOLD in my eyes.
resale value?? when you own the car for 10+ years who cares?????
im in debt over 20K and i own a TE exec... with no commitments, my TE exec is like owning a 380 with the amount of my loan.
Don't forget, also, that it did win aust large car of the year - a major improvement on everything they sold in aust since the release of the Mirage!
You want the middle class families buyin this car at a price cheaper than the commodore but more than the falcon, they are the ones who will buy a car and drive it for 5+ years before getting a new car; and if the old car is still worth another 10 years at that stage... why buy a new one????????

What was/is the price difference ?
Also note the price of fuel then and now.

i dont understand your question..? what am i supposed to be comparing it against? all i said was i cant understand why the 380 isn't selling.

I dont accept the fuel price argument. Yes some people are turned off the V6 market cos of the price of fuel, however commodore and falcon ARE still selling in big numbers even if its not as big as a couple of years ago. If you compared the ratio of magna sales against commodore sales 5 years ago i think you would find that the ratio was much healthier back then then it is now with 380. Yes the large car segment is down a bit, but mitsubishi's large car sales have dropped off MUCH more then holden and fords, suggesting that the 380's problem isnt just the price of fuel.

i dont understand your question..? what am i supposed to be comparing it against? all i said was i cant understand why the 380 isn't selling.

I dont accept the fuel price argument. Yes some people are turned off the V6 market cos of the price of fuel, however commodore and falcon ARE still selling in big numbers even if its not as big as a couple of years ago. If you compared the ratio of magna sales against commodore sales 5 years ago i think you would find that the ratio was much healthier back then then it is now with 380. Yes the large car segment is down a bit, but mitsubishi's large car sales have dropped off MUCH more then holden and fords, suggesting that the 380's problem isnt just the price of fuel.

That is correct in relation to the amount of which Commodore's and Falcon's have declined, which if at all is little in comparison to the decline in Mitsubishi's large car sales. But, you have to remember that why petrol prices might be partly to fault there is many other factors.
I have the beleif that design is one problem. If they made the base model more appealing by making mags standard and making the rear end more sportier and a few touches on the front end they'd have a winner. Up the kw output on the VRX to say 192kw and 198kw on the GT (the GT should get slightly more, remember it's meant to be like $8k more then the VRX).

With the launch of the Ralliart (hopefully June/July usually Mitu's peak) we should find 380 sales to be around 2,000 (if not higher) and people becoming interested in the 380 because of its real 'signature' model. If and when a SII comes out if they can make the outside more appealing visually on the non sports models and also improve some things on the sports&lux models (LEDS, Xenon option, slight design changes, new mags/side skirsts,etc) they'd have a winner.

Curtain airbags are meant to be standard as of the MY07 update, so that's one good thing the MMAL have spent some more $$$$ on.

btw... why did april sales of the magna/verada decrease so much last year for this month? I hope that the 380 sales to not decrease to this extent as if it follows last years trend they will sell less thean half of 1211 :rant:

I don't think that will happen as I think that the publics perception of the 380 is growing and people are starting to realise that it is superior to the competition, thus purchasing it over other vehicles.

VFACTS say that April tends to be a quiet one for some reason, and together with the fact there are 5 weekends out of the 30 days (less selling days) a decline is expected for April across the industry. So I believe if Mitsu can increase its sales of 380 by even a smidge, say 1280-1300, it's a good result.

i cant work out why the 380 isn't selling. I don't accept that its not a good enough car. I blame the marketing department

Agreed, it's all market perception. To much uncertainty surrounding Mitsubishi's local future. They need to market their products allot more successfully and increase their public image.

Mitu's overall figure will probably decline quite a bit in march. Because of world demand for the Lancer only a portion of what is expected to be ordered will be available. Therefore the figure should rise significantly in May/June when they are all delivered again.

Hmm the new lancer (due late '07) looks like it will stir up the competition. The outlander apparently has 'stock shortages' and therefore that will probably fall in sales for april aswell.

On the upside the new Triton should sell very very well considering the looks and reviews on the vehicle and the 'updated/upgraded' coming out later this year with MIVEC should also rocket pajero sales.

Oh, and as for 380 sales I reckon they will still increase in April but only by a bit. Hopefully a sales target of 1300 - 1400 is achievable.

I have the beleif that design is one problem. If they made the base model more appealing by making mags standard and making the rear end more sportier and a few touches on the front end they'd have a winner.
lol :cool: You hit the nail on the head. Most people buying/choosing new car go for external look, after they worry about mechanical things ,coz warranty will cover all worries As we all know 380 is very good car only one problem - external look of the car is killing sale (exactly for me is front/rear ends).

the rest of the mitsubishi range is going to become pretty damn good over the next 12-24months which will ensure mitsubishi's future as an importer at the absolute very least in this country. But although i personally believe the 380 is a very good car, MMAL really need to do something to make them sell better really soon if they wanna save their local production plant.

Bascially it needs improved styling, more features, more power, lower price for atleast the base model

1) Only around 3% of all magna's sold (inc verada) were wagons

Would have thought higher - where did you get that figure from?

To adapt to the new global look perhaps look at the upcoming Mitsubishi's. They all look bloody fantastic. The new Triton comes out in 2-3 months and looks very nice and has alot of features for a 'ute'. The new Outlander which was meant to sell 1,800 vehicles in a month but has sold around 25,000 vehicles since it's release last November (for Japan only so far). These two vehicles will sell very well in Australia because Mitsubishi have got the design right this time.

The upcoming Lancer looks very very agressive and I also think it will sell very well once it is released. If Mitsu's new vehicles design keys are to go by then if MMAL use these vehicles characteristics and apply them to 380 SII then they'd start selling some serious numbers.

Would have thought higher - where did you get that figure from?

Mitsubishi - spoken by Tom Philips early last year when questioned about there being no wagon variant for the then-known PS41.

Regardless, most other vehicles have the flexibility of a split-fold rear seat facility. With VE Commondork to follow suit and possibly even Camry/Aurion, the lack of this feature lowers 380's appeal when compared to its competitors.

It's supposed to be a family car... families want flexibility don't they? Me thinks a bit of common sense in the noggin is needed over there. :think:

I'm sure it wouldn't be that hard for Mitsubishi to include a split folding rear seat. Maybe it's something we'll see in SII.

It doesn't really bother me initially but I spose if I was to carry a larger item (such as a bike) it would come in very useful.

I'm sure it wouldn't be that hard for Mitsubishi to include a split folding rear seat. Maybe it's something we'll see in SII.

It doesn't really bother me initially but I spose if I was to carry a larger item (such as a bike) it would come in very useful.

in all my time owning sedans i have never wanted to fold down the seats... don't know anyone who does either

besides mitsubishi already said that they thought about split fold rear seats, and decided that no one was interested

I agree, all the sedans I've owned have only had ski ports and I never really had a use for a that either. Besides I prefer the rear armrest with cupholders anyway over a splt fold rear seat. More comfy for the rear passengers. I rarely if ever have rear passengers either but if I did I'm sure they'd find it more comfy.

besides mitsubishi already said that they thought about split fold rear seats, and decided that no one was interested

They didnt just think about it - it was originally intended, but the donor Galant has the same limitations in body structure, and the cost of restructure would have just been too much.


Besides I prefer the rear armrest with cupholders anyway over a splt fold rear seat. More comfy for the rear passengers. I rarely if ever have rear passengers either but if I did I'm sure they'd find it more comfy.

It is possible to have a centre rear armrest with armrest and fold down rear seat - this is what the Falcon and Camry have.

The ski port is just insulting, and Mitsubishi would be losing sales over it - my kayak paddle just fits through it - just.

Mitsubishi - spoken by Tom Philips early last year when questioned about there being no wagon variant for the then-known PS41.

3% is a little conservative for wagons - that's suggesting there is only approx 6,000 in existence. I'm sure there is more than that.

3% is a little conservative for wagons - that's suggesting there is only approx 6,000 in existence. I'm sure there is more than that.

He was referring to sales of TL/TW. Obviously in previous models wagons were more popular, but by now wagons only made up around 3% of all TL/TW Magna/Veradas sold. Hence it was not feasible to develop wagon for 380.

I'd say 3% (of TL/TW's) sounds about right too.

He was referring to sales of TL/TW. Obviously in previous models wagons were more popular, but by now wagons only made up around 3% of all TL/TW Magna/Veradas sold. Hence it was not feasible to develop wagon for 380.

I'd say 3% (of TL/TW's) sounds about right too.
Sounds better than 3% across the entire fleet, though very low.

He was referring to sales of TL/TW. Obviously in previous models wagons were more popular, but by now wagons only made up around 3% of all TL/TW Magna/Veradas sold. Hence it was not feasible to develop wagon for 380.

I'd say 3% (of TL/TW's) sounds about right too.


Ah that needs to clarafied. Tom Phillips said that 3% of Magna buyers were PRIVATE wagon buyers. If we include fleet sales as well, just under 25% of Magna buyers in 2005 chose the wagon. As most fleet wagon buyers actually need a wagon, I would have expect that these sales would have now flowed to other makes.

Ah that needs to clarafied. Tom Phillips said that 3% of Magna buyers were PRIVATE wagon buyers. If we include fleet sales as well, just under 25% of Magna buyers in 2005 chose the wagon. As most fleet wagon buyers actually need a wagon, I would have expect that these sales would have now flowed to other makes.

That's interesting, because he went on to say that of those 3% only a small percentage were private still:think: ... hence low feasibility. Oh well, maybe good'ol Tom had is mind elsewhere that day...

Whatever the case may be, it would have been too expensive to develop wagon anyway considering US Galant is sedan only too, nor is there a wagon variant (to the best of my knowledge) in Japan, Malaysia etc.

That's interesting, because he went on to say that of those 3% only a small percentage were private still:think: ... hence low feasibility. Oh well, maybe good'ol Tom had is mind elsewhere that day...

Whatever the case may be, it would have been too expensive to develop wagon anyway considering US Galant is sedan only too, nor is there a wagon variant (to the best of my knowledge) in Japan, Malaysia etc.

Just remember that the original TE/KE wagon was designed and built in australia from the japanese sedan (no wagon version anywhere else in the world) and we exported the (X60 jap model code) wagon back to japan in 1997/1998.

I worked on them, 3L with 5speed tippy auto, flashy trim and dark privacy glass etc etc. They were a nice wagon back then.

Just remember that the original TE/KE wagon was designed and built in australia from the japanese sedan (no wagon version anywhere else in the world) and we exported the (X60 jap model code) wagon back to japan in 1997/1998.

I worked on them, 3L with 5speed tippy auto, flashy trim and dark privacy glass etc etc. They were a nice wagon back then.

Absolutely

Yeah, the JAP spec magna's were about 3 - 4 years ahead (if not more) of our Verada/Magna. They got the tiptronic in 1995 and the 5 speed tiptronic in 1996/97.

If Mitsubishi did create a wagon variant I can't imagine what it would look like, if they put audi style lights on the end it would look good though.

I am seeing more and more 380's on the road each day. I reckon the more people see them, the more the sales are going to increase.

I am seeing more and more 380's on the road each day. I reckon the more people see them, the more the sales are going to increase.

Yeah, true. Seeing them on the roads adds exposure to more and more people and as the number of them on the road increases I'm sure their sales will steadily continue to increase.

Such a pity there is not all that much advertising to help add some further exposure.