Mitsubishi shuts down Ralliart

In a statement posted on Ralliart’s website, President Masao Taguchi said, "Because of the sudden change of economy situation since the year before last, the business circumstances surrounding our company radically became worse. And so, this time, we have reached the conclusion that Ralliart Inc would scale down our business activities as of the end of March 2010."

Ralliart has been responsible for Mitsubishi’s rally and off-road tuning activities for 27 years, and shot to prominence in the 1990s when Mitsubishi, under the helm of Tommi Makinen, won four consecutive World Rally Championship titles from 1996 to 1999.

The decision means that Ralliart will end its support of motorsport customers, scrap new planning, development and merchandise of Ralliart products, and pull its internet information and news service. Existing support for its existing customers will be handled "by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation as it is". "We would like to express our sincere apology to all of customers," Taguchi said.