There is never much to report on about Mitsubishi as far as the American market goes because the really don’t offer enough here to get excited about. The Mitsubishi Lancer and i-MiEV are two of the slowest selling cars on the market in the most highly shopped segments, which is further proof that United States drivers are not impressed with what Mitsubishi is trying to sell to us. As far as the Lancer and i-MiEV are concerned, there is nothing new coming up for the new sales seasons which will put them further underground than ever. So, what is an automaker to do if they are serious about capturing a piece of the American market? It needs to offer something new and from the sounds of is, that is exactly what Mitsubishi is considering.
Specifically, Mitsubishi is looking at bringing its Mirage compact over to the United States as part of its goal of producing 500,000 samples of this new vehicle worldwide throughout 2013. This super small car would be in competition is the Smart ForTwo and the Chevrolet Spark. While those are both some strong contenders to go up against, Mitsubishi might actually stand a chance due to its fuel efficiency and cost. The base price of $12,550 is just about the price of a Chevy Spark, but with destination charges it could run a bit more, but the fuel efficiency of an expected 64 miles per gallon could quickly make up for that. As for how competitive it will be in terms of technology or interior, we have no idea. It looks like it has a body design that will fit right in with the current new cars being offered.
Mitsubishi’s President Osamu Masuko commented from Tokyo with, “I’ve heard some market voices say this kind of car would sell well. But we’re still assessing whether Americans will accept it. We have to make a decision soon, but we are still studying.”
Source Automotive News