Mitsubishi was one of the pioneer manufacturers in terms of electrification at the beginning of the last decade. The firm with the three diamonds not only developed one of the most popular plug-in hybrids on the planet, the Outlander PHEV (2013), but was also responsible for the creation of what many consider to be the first mass electric car in history, the i-MiEV (2009).
However, for some time now the Japanese firm seems to have stagnated. Due to the lack of electrical novelties, it has been overtaken by increasingly fierce competition. Considered by many to be the weakest link in the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliancethe company will seek to reverse this situation with the presentation of its Challenge 2025 strategic plan.
This roadmap includes the launch of 16 new models, as well as a restructuring of its business to improve its competitiveness in international markets (Africa, China, Europe, Japan, Latin America, North America and Southeast Asia). Among other things, a significant reduction in costs and strengthening their current alliances.
More than half of the announced vehicles will be electrified (thermal proposals will be aimed at emerging markets). Although most launches will be hybrids, the launch of four battery electricwhich will be revealed over the next five years.
Mitsubishi will strengthen its collaboration with Nissan and Renault
one of them will be a pickup which will be established as a kind of zero emission alternative to the popular L200. This model will have to compete against future electric versions of the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok. In the absence of confirmation, it would not be surprising if it had a sister from Nissan (Navara/Frontier).
Two of the electric ones will be joint developments with the Alliance, arising from the collaboration with Nissan and Renault respectively. The first will be a tiny car kei for the Japanese market derived from the Nissan Sakura. Although no details of the second have been given, rumors indicate that it could be the brother of the next Renault R5 and Nissan Micra; that is to say, an affordable utility for Europe.
The electric four in discord will be an SUV with two rows of seats developed outside the Alliance (which does not mean that it will not use one of the group’s platforms, see the CMF-EV of the Nissan Ariya and Renault Megane E-TECH).
Source | Motor.es
