Car Brands HQ - Learn about Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi is a Japanese conglomerate of businesses that first originated in 1870 as a shipping company. As it expanded to other industries over time, Mitsubishi made its first car in 1914. Although the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is often viewed as a maker of automobiles geared toward racing enthusiasts or those leaning toward futuristic design, the company did not begin entirely in that fashion. Their first automobile was called the Model A, a seven-seater sedan. It was made entirely by hand and, as a result, was expensive to produce. When it was lined up with other comparable autos, sales fell flat, and the Model A was quickly discontinued.

Fortunes improved significantly with the development of the PX33, a 4-wheel drive car used in the military in WWII, and with the manufacturing of Fuso buses after the war. Mitsubishi hit it big in the United States with sales of the Galant, in partnership with Chrysler. However, things fell short once more by the year 2000. Stock prices fell in Asia and financial difficulties persisted in the United States.

More recently, the company has begun to revitalize their auto sales with the Mitsubishi i, a so-called kei car, or light automobile. The advantage gained with this model is a mix of economy and cutting-edge style. Mitsubishi capitalized on the economic downturn in world markets by offering a reliable vehicle that is attractive, relatively spacious, and light on fuel usage.