Ruqayyah Snyder
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, a Japanese company headquartered in Tokyo. MMAL was established in 1980 when Mitsubishi acquired Chrysler's operations in Adelaide, Australia. Since then, MMAL has served Australian customers with reliable and innovative vehicle technology. The company introduced several models to the Australian market, including the Mitsubishi 380, which was the successor to the long-running Mitsubishi Magna. However, due to poor sales of the 380 model, Mitsubishi Motors Australia ceased vehicle manufacturing in 2008 and became a full importer. Today, MMAL continues to offer various models to Australians, including passenger, sport utility, and commercial vehicles, while also engaging in community partnerships and initiatives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Mitsubishi Motors Australia was founded | 1980 |
| Former name | Chrysler Australia |
| Year Mitsubishi Motors Australia ceased production | 2008 |
| Year Mitsubishi 380 was introduced | 2005 |
| Year Mitsubishi Motors Australia announced the closing of its Adelaide assembly plant | 2008 |
| Mitsubishi Motors Australia's parent company | Mitsubishi Motors Corporation of Japan |
| Mitsubishi Motors Australia's headquarters | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Mitsubishi Motors Australia's current status | Vehicle importer |
| Mitsubishi Motors Australia's current focus | Sales and marketing activities |
| Mitsubishi Motors Australia's current staff strength | 200 |
| Mitsubishi Motors Australia's number of dealers and service centers | 200 |
| Mitsubishi Motors Australia's community engagement | Disaster Relief Australia |
| Mitsubishi Motors Australia's R&D wing | Mitsubishi Research and Development Australia |
| Mitsubishi Motors Australia's most significant introduction | Magna |
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What You'll Learn
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL)
In 1971, Chrysler Australia, the then-owner of the Tonsley Park assembly plant, acquired a 15% interest in Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. This led to the production of Mitsubishi-designed Chrysler-branded vehicles, such as the Chrysler Valiant Galant (later known as the Chrysler Galant) and the Chrysler Sigma. The latter was based on the 1977-1985 Mitsubishi Galant.
MMAL introduced the Mitsubishi Magna, known as the Galant in Japan, to the Australian market. This family sedan switched from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive and was designed to be narrower than 1700 mm to fit into a lower tax bracket in the Japanese market. By making the Magna 80 mm wider than the Galant, MMAL aimed to compete with Japanese competitors and the Holden Commodore. The third-generation Magna adopted frameless windows and a coupe-like style, borrowing styling elements from the North American Diamante.
In 2003, MMAL received approval from MMC to establish Mitsubishi Research and Development Australia (MRDAus) with a budget of $30 million. MRDAus was intended to be the fourth global Mitsubishi Research and Development Centre, tasked with completing Mitsubishi 380 Testing and Proving.
In October 2005, MMAL introduced the Mitsubishi 380 as the successor to the Mitsubishi Magna. However, the 380 sold poorly, leading to reduced production volumes and workforce. As a result, MMAL pursued a "full import strategy" for the Australian market. The last Mitsubishi 380 sedan rolled off the production line on March 27, 2008, coinciding with the redundancy of about 500 workers.
Since 2008, MMAL has exclusively focused on importing vehicles to the Australian market. The company offers passenger, sport utility, and commercial vehicles, along with related parts and accessories. MMAL employs over 200 people across Australia and has a network of 200 dealers and service centers.
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Mitsubishi 380
The Mitsubishi 380 was a mid-size car produced by Mitsubishi Motors Australia (MMAL), a fully owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation of Japan. It was produced between 2005 and 2008 and was available exclusively as a sedan. The 380 was the successor to the Mitsubishi Magna/Verada line of vehicles, which had been introduced in 1985 (1991 for the Verada).
The development of the 380 began in 2002 when Mitsubishi executives in Japan approved the development of two closely related vehicles. The first was to be a right-hand-drive variant of the ninth-generation Mitsubishi Galant, designated the codename PS41. This was to replace the Magna and Verada. The second, planned for launch in 2007, was to be a long-wheelbase version known as the PS41L, produced in both left- and right-hand-drive configurations. However, due to Mitsubishi's financial troubles and the dissolution of the DaimlerChrysler-Mitsubishi alliance, the PS41L was abandoned in 2004, and the PS41's future looked uncertain.
The Mitsubishi 380 was designed to reinvigorate sales after the Mitsubishi Magna large sedan ended production. It featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine and was produced at the Tonsley Park assembly plant in South Australia, which Mitsubishi Motors Australia had taken over from Chrysler Australia in 1980. The name "380" was chosen to distance the car from the slow-selling Magna, and to evoke images of high technology, European standards, and sophistication.
Despite being well-received by road testers for its adjustable chassis, refinement, ride quality, and performance, the Mitsubishi 380 sold poorly. The car failed to meet sales targets, which resulted in a reduction in the daily production volume and workforce. Updates to the lineup, such as the Series II and Series III revisions, failed to boost sales. Mitsubishi ceased manufacturing the 380 in March 2008, after just three years in production. A total of 32,044 units were produced, with 30,195 sold in Australia.
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Mitsubishi Sigma
The Mitsubishi Sigma was produced locally in Australia from 1977 to 1987. It was one of several Mitsubishi models drafted by Chrysler Australia to bolster its range below the Valiant. The rear-wheel-drive sedan and wagon were powered by a selection of four-cylinder engines ranging from 1.6 to 2.6 litres in displacement. The Sigma was also offered with a 2.6-litre Astron engine, which was not available in its domestic market. The second-generation Sigma, introduced in 1980, featured a more aerodynamic front end with composite headlights and wraparound rear lights, retaining its predecessor's blend of swoopy and clean-cut lines.
The Mitsubishi Sigma was also sold in Asia-Pacific markets, South Africa, and Europe, although it was not sold in the United States. In its home market of Japan, the Sigma was offered with various trim levels and engine options, including 1.6, 1.8, and 2.0-litre petrol engines, as well as a 2.3-litre turbo-diesel option. The Australian version of the Sigma was slightly different, with 1.6 and 2-litre engine options like the Japanese version, but also the unique 2.6-litre Astron engine.
The Sigma Turbo, introduced later in the model's run, was a collaboration with Garrett Turbochargers and was the first locally-made car in Australia to feature a turbocharger. Its 2.0-litre engine produced 116 kW of power and 235 Nm of torque, a significant improvement over the naturally-aspirated 2.6-litre engine's 73 kW and 188 Nm. The second-generation Sigma was longer and edgier than the previous model, arriving in Australia two years after its overseas introduction.
Mitsubishi attempted to export the Sigma to the United Kingdom in the early 1980s, but it was unsuccessful. The Sigma was replaced by the Mitsubishi Magna in 1985 for the sedan version and 1987 for the wagon version, with the last Sigma wagon rolling off the Tonsley Park production line in 1987.
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Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, a global leader in automotive innovation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. MMAL was established in 1980 when Mitsubishi acquired Chrysler's operations in Adelaide, Australia. Since then, it has served Australian customers with reliable and innovative vehicle technology.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia has played a significant role in the country's automotive industry. Initially, the company focused on manufacturing vehicles locally, with the Sigma being one of the first models produced in Australia from 1977. The Magna, introduced by Mitsubishi Australia, was also a notable vehicle, as it made the switch to front-wheel drive and was designed to be narrower than 1700mm to fit into a lower tax bracket.
In 1982, Mitsubishi introduced the Colt, also known as the Mirage in overseas markets. However, by the time production ended in 1989, the Colt was already past its prime, and it was replaced by the Lancer, which was two generations ahead. Mitsubishi Australia also designed and manufactured vehicles for export, including the third-generation Magna, which was produced in Australia for markets other than Japan.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia experienced challenges in the 2000s, with slow sales of certain models and financial difficulties. In 2005, the company introduced the Mitsubishi 380 as the replacement for the Mitsubishi Magna, but it failed to meet sales targets, leading to a reduction in production volume and workforce. In 2008, Mitsubishi Motors Australia ceased vehicle manufacturing and became exclusively a vehicle importer.
Despite these setbacks, Mitsubishi Motors Australia has continued to innovate and receive recognition for its vehicles. In 2020, the company received awards for the Pajero and Nimbus models at the inaugural Australia's Best Cars awards. In 2023, the Mitsubishi All-New Outlander PHEV received the Drive Car of the Year award, showcasing the company's ongoing commitment to quality and innovation.
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Mitsubishi Research and Development Australia (MRDAus)
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL), a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, was founded in 1980 when the Japanese automaker purchased Chrysler's operations in Adelaide, South Australia. The company introduced several significant vehicles to the Australian market, including the Mitsubishi Magna, known as the Galant in Japan, and the Mitsubishi 380, which replaced the Magna in 2005.
In 2003, MMAL received approval from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) to establish Mitsubishi Research and Development Australia (MRDAus) with a budget of $30 million. MRDAus was to be the fourth global Mitsubishi Research and Development Centre. The plan included upgrading MMAL's proving ground at Tailem Bend, adding a high-speed oval, and enhancing various other facilities. Additionally, the Testing and Proving group's laboratories at MMAL headquarters in Tonsley Park were also slated for upgrades.
MRDAus's initial mandate was to complete the Mitsubishi 380 Testing and Proving before the start of volume production. They also negotiated a substantial job share for the testing and proving of the PS41L, a stretched version of the 380 intended for the US market. Unfortunately, due to financial challenges faced by MMC globally and the cancellation of the PS41L program, MRDAus did not reach its full potential.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia ceased vehicle manufacturing in 2008 and has since focused exclusively on importing vehicles. Despite this shift, the company continues to serve Australian customers with reliable and innovative vehicle technology, combining Japanese precision with Australian ingenuity.
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Frequently asked questions
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) is headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia. The company was established in 1980 and began manufacturing vehicles in the same year. However, Australian production ceased in 2008, and the company has since been exclusively importing vehicles.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia was founded in 1980 when the Japanese automaker purchased Chrysler's operations in Adelaide. The company introduced several models to the Australian market, including the Mitsubishi 380 and the Mitsubishi Magna. The Magna was a significant vehicle for Mitsubishi Australia, as it was engineered to be wider than its competitors, allowing it to compete with both Japanese and Holden models.
After acquiring a 15% interest in Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in 1971, Chrysler Australia began building Mitsubishi-designed Chrysler-branded vehicles. These included the Chrysler Valiant Galant (later Chrysler Galant) and the Chrysler Sigma, which were based on Mitsubishi Galant models. In 1980, Mitsubishi acquired Chrysler's operations in Australia and renamed the company Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd (MMAL).
The Magna is considered Mitsubishi Australia's most significant vehicle introduction. It was a family sedan that made the switch from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive. This allowed Mitsubishi to compete with both Japanese and Holden models. The Magna was replaced by the Mitsubishi 380 in 2005, but poor sales of the 380 led to a reduction in production and workforce.
