History of Mitsubishi

1940-1959 History of Mitsubishi



1943 Mizushima Aircraft Manufacturing (later becomes Mizushima Plant) and Kawasaki kiki Manufacturing (Kawasaki plant) are established.

1944 Kyoto kiki Manufacturing is established in Uzumasa, which later becomes Kyoto Plant.

1946 Development of a small three-wheel cargo carrier, the "Mizushima" (XTM1) is completed. Fuso bus production is restarted.
A scooter, the "Silver Pigeon" (C-10) is launched.

1948 Production of the industrial "Katsura" engine startes at Kyoto-kiki Manufacturing.

1950 Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries is split into East Japan Heavy-Industries (later became Mitsubishi Nihon Heavy-Industries), Central Japan Heavy-Industries (later became Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries) and West Japan Heavy-Industries (later became Mitsubishi Shipbuilding&Engineering). Fuso Motor Sales is established.

1951 Assembly and sales of the Henry J passenger car (by East Japan Heavy-Industries until 1954)
Central Japan Heavy-Industries concludes a contract with Willis for knockdown assembly of the Jeep.

1953 Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries starts knockdown assembly of the Jeep
Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries sets up the automobile department at its headquarters again.

1954 Kyoto Plant the first unit of domestic-made four-cylinder gasoline engine JH4 for the Jeep.
Mitsubishi Nippon Heavy-Industries established the automobile department at its headquarters.

1955 The "Mizushima" small three-wheel cargo carrier is renamed "Mitsubishi-Go."

1960-1969 History of Mitsubishi



1960 Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries launches the "Mitsubishi 500,"the first compact four-wheel passenger car.

1961 Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries launches light four-wheel passenger cars, the "Mitsubishi 360 Van," and the "Mitsubishi 360 Pickup."

1962 Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries launches the "Colt 600."
The Okazaki test track is completed.
Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries launches a light four-wheel passenger car, the "Mitsubishi Minica."
The "Mitsubishi 500 Super Deluxe" wins a class title in the 9th Macau Grand Prix.

1963 Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries launches the "Colt 1000."

1964 A Fuso mid-size truck is launched.
The "Colt 1000" wins a class title in the 2nd Japan Grand Prix Auto Races.
The three Heavy-Industries merge into Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Mitsubishi Motor sales Corporation is established.
A high-class passenger car, the "Debonair" is launched.

1965 A passenger car, the "Colt 1500" is launched.

1966 The "Colt Formula 3A" wins the 3rd Japan Grand Prix.
A light four-wheel cab-over truck, the "Mitsubishi Minicab" is launched.

1967 The "Colt IIA" wins the formula car race in the 4th Japan Grand Prix Auto Races.

1968 The "Colt FIIB" wins the 5th Japan Grand Prix Speed Cup Race.
A partnership agreement with Isuzu Motors Ltd. is signed.(Terminated in 1969)
The "Colt 1100F Sport" wins the 3rd Australian Southern Cross Rally.

1969 The automobile division is reorganized into the automobile operational headquarters.
A cab-over-type commercial vehicle, the "Delica" is launched.
The "Colt Galant" (with 4G3 Saturn engine onboard) is launched.



Mitsubishi 500 in Macau Grand Prix


1970-1979 History of Mitsubishi



1970 The "Colt Galant GTO" (with 4G32 DOHC Saturn engine onboard) is launched.
The initial basic contract on a joint venture with Chrysler is concluded.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is established.

1971 Sales of the "Dodge Colt" start in North America.
The Colt F2000 wins the Japan Grand Prix Auto Race.
The "Galant Coupe FTO" is launched.

1972 Football Club, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. wins the All-Japan Soccer Championship, the Emperor's Cup.
The "Minica F4" (with 2G2 Vulcan engine onboard) is launched.

1973 The "Lancer" is launched.
The Galant 16L HT GS wins the 21st East African Safari Rally.
The Lancer 1600GSR wins all titles in the 8th Australian Southern Cross Rally.
A contract on giving technical assistance on the 4G36 engine to Hyundai Motor is concluded.

1976 The symbol mark "M.M" is attached to new products.
The "Galant Sigma" (with the 4G5 engine with silent shaft and 4 link rear suspension G32B MCA-JET engine onboard) is launched.
The "Galant Lambda" is launched.

1977 The Nagoya Plant-Okazaki is completed.
Europe Office (The Netherlands) is established.
The 1st Mirage Bowl is held.

1978 A new sales channel ,"Car Plaza" consisting of 109 companies (186 outlets) starts operations nationwide.
The "Mirage" (with KM160 transmission with super-shift onboard) is launched.

1979 The patent rights on the silent shaft are licensed to Porsche AG.
The Kyoto Plant-Shiga is completed.
The total number of cars produced exceeds one million/year. (1.005 million exactly)

1980-1989 History of Mitsubishi



1980 The "Galant Sigma", "Eterna Sigma" (with the strut-type rear wheel independent suspension) is launched.
The "Forte 4WD" (with the silent chain-type 4WD transfer onboard) is launched.

1981 The "Lancer EX1800 Turbo" (with a gasoline turbo engine onboard) is launched.
Mitsubishi Motor Sales America, Iuc. (MMSA) is established.

1982 Use of the MMC mark as the front emblem of newly launched cars starts.
The "Tredia" and "Cordia" are launched.
G12B MD engine(Modulated Displacement), ELC-3A/T
The "Pajero" is launched.
The "Starion" is launched.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation acquire a 10 % stake in Hyundai Motor.
TAMACHI INC is established in Puerto Rico(Mitsubishi Motors Corporation have a 100 % stake in the company, which latter becomes MMSC)
The test laboratory (exhaust gas test site) in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the United States is completed.

1983 Pajeros take part in the Paris-Dakar rally for the first time and win the unmodified production class title, and finish first and second in the marathon racing. Pajeros also win the best team award for the triple crown.
The "Chariot" is launched.
G63B turbo engine with an intercooler
The "Galant Sigma", "Eterna Sigma" (with ECS/EPS/ECM onboard) is launched.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation and Heavy Industries Corporation of Malaysia (HICOM) conclude the agreement to establish a joint national car business. (Later the national car manufacturer becomes PROTON)

1984 The design center, test lab and parts depot in Cypress, California are completed.
Ralliart is established.
G63B DASH engine (200PS)
The Starion 4WD wins the class title in the Milles Piste Rally held in France.
Integration of Industries and Sales is put into practice

1985 A contract on joint development of the Debonair with Hyundai Motor of Rep. of Korea is concluded.
The Pajero enters the 7th Paris-Dakar Rally and wins the overall title.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Chrysler reach an agreement to terminate and cancel the basic contract on a joint venture of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.
An agreement with Chrysler to set up a joint corporation for producing passenger cars in the United States is reached. (The company later becomes DSM.)
The Beijing office is entablish.

1986 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation acquires a 19 % stake and Mitsubishi Corporation a 6 % stake in CMC Co.,Ltd. in Taiwan.
Cyclone engine
The "Debonair V" (with 6G7 V6 engine onboard) is launched.
Shipment of V6 engines to Chrysler starts.

1987 UDMI and SMC in Thailand merge and MSC is established.
PAMCOR is set up in the Philippines.
Basic partnership agreement with Daimler Benz including sales of Mercedes-Benz in Japan and production of commercial vehicles in Europe is reached
Use of the mark of three-diamond as emblems for cars for the domestic market resumes.
The "Mirage 3-door Hatchback" is launched.
The "Galant" (with 4G6 DOHC 4-valve engine, VCU-type full-time 4WD, active ECS 4-wheel integrated control system onboard) is launched.
The Galant is voted '87-'88 Japan Car of the Year.

1988 The production line of the "Eclipse" at DSM starts operations.

1989 The "Minica" is launched.
3G81 DOHC 5-valve engine
HCU-type Full-time ‚SWD
Mitsubishi Motors Europe (MME) is established.
The Mitsubishi Auto Gallery opens at the Nagoya Plant-Okazaki, where famous Mistubishi cars are exhibited.
Galant VR-4 wins the overall titles in WRC1000 Lake Rally and RAC Rally.





Paris-Dakar Rally (1983)



1990-1999 History of Mitsubishi



1990 The "Minica Toppo" is launched.
The "Diamante" is launched.
Operations of the football club are transferred from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.
The "GTO" is launched.
6G72 DOHC twin-turbo engine
The Diamante and Sigma are voted '90-'91 Japan Car of the Year.

1991 The "Pajero" is launched.
Super-select 4WD, Multi-mode ABS
4G15 MVV engine
The Lancer Van electric vehicle
The "RVR" is launched.
Inner-rail sliding door
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, the Dutch government and Volvo of Sweden conclude a joint passenger car production plan. Netherlands Car is established in the same year.

1992 Pajeros finish first, second and third in the overall category of the Paris-Cape town rally.
The "Galant", "Eterna" and "Emeraude" are launched.
The first generation of the "Lancer Evolution" is launched.
The "Debonair" is launched.
INVECS 4-wheel multi-link suspension
4G92 MIVEC engine
Distance Warning System, Passenger airbag
Football Club, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is established.

1993 Power window with safety features
Chrysler sells off its stock holdings of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

1994 The "Libero EV" is launched for use at public offices and corporations.
The "Delica Spacegear" is launched.
The "FTO" is launched.
The "FTO" is voted '94-'95 Japan Car of the Year.
The "Pajero Mini" is launched.

1995 Gasoline Deirect Injection Engine (GDI) is developed.
Mass production of the "Carisma" starts at Netherlands Car.
Toyo Koki is renamed Pajero Manufacturing.
DSM is renamed to MMMA.
An advanced safety vehicle, the "Mitsubishi ASV" is developed.
MSC in Thailand unveils the "L200 Strada."

1996 A research and development company is established in the United States.
The Tama Design Center is established.
The "Challenger" is launched.
The "Galant" and "Legnum" are launched.
The "Carisma" manufactured at Netherlands Car is launched.
The "Galant" and "Legnum" are voted '96-'97 Japan Car of the Year.
Mitsubishi Motors Tokachi Proving Ground in Hokkaido is completed.

1997 An agreement with Pininfarina of Italy on compact SUV production is reached.
A component-producing plant is built in Yagi-cho, Kyoto prefecture.
A joint venture is established for manufacturing engines in Shenyang, China.
Issue of illegal payoffs to corporate racketeers.

1998 A new company slogan is announced: "Iimono nagaku."
Special Edition of the Jeep is launched to commemorate the end of its production.
The "Pajero iO" is launched
The "Mirage Dingo" is launched.

1999 An electric vehicle (EV) runs 2000 km in 24 hours for a world record (Officially registered with Guinness Book of Records)




Netherlands Car


2000-2003 History of Mitsubishi



2000 A new generation powertrain "GDI-CVT" is developed.
Recall and coverup scandal of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation concludes a partnership contract with DaimlerChrysler and provided with investment.
A plan to develop compact cars in a joint effort with DaimlerChrysler and to produce them at Netherlands Car is announced.

2001 Rolf Eckrodt is named the Executive Vice President and COO.
The summary of "Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Turnaround Plan" is announced.
The "New History" campaign starts.
The Airtrek is launched.
Closure of production lines at the Nagoya Plant-Oye and outsourcing of component production are announced.
Separation of AT and CVT businesses from Mitsubishi Motors proper and business integration with JATCO Trans Technology are announced.
The "eK Wagon" is launched.
A plan to build an engine plant jointly with DaimlerChrysler in Germany is announced.

2002 A plan to develop new engines jointly with DaimlerChrysler and Hyundai Motor is announced.
Rolf Eckrodt is named president and CEO and Takashi Sonobe chairman of the Board.
Integration of passenger car business in North America into one corporation.
A Plan to spin off truck-bus operation are announced.
Integration of two sales channels, Galant and Car Plaza, is announced.
The "Colt" is launched.
Mitsubishi Motor Sales Europe (MMSE) is integrated into one corporation, Mitsubishi Motors Europe (MME).

2003 Passenger car business in North America is integrated into Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA).
Truck and bus business is spun off and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation is established.
The headquarters moves to a new location in Shinagawa.
The "Grandis" is launched.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announces that net profit for fiscal year 2002 was a record high for the company.



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