In collaboration with Cycle & Carriage, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation celebrated its 100th anniversary on 26th July 2017 at the Wheeler's Estate, located at Seletar Aerospace Park.
With 100 years under its belt, Mitsubishi holds the title of Japan's oldest car company. The first series production passenger car, the Mitsubishi Model-A, was developed by Mitsubishi Shipping Company 100 years ago in 1917. It was the first car to be adorned with the three-diamond emblem and was the first mass production car in Japanese history. In 1970, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) was established.
In 1992, MMC introduced the next generation Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC) engine technology that was able to maintain engine performance, as well as maximise fuel efficiency. It was first used in the Mirage and since then has seen several enhancements to produce even better performance. The MIVEC engine technology can be found in all Mitsubishi cars to date.
Following its corporate philosophy of 'Driving Pleasure' and 'Toughness & Safety', MMC has also enhanced driving pleasure with its high-performance vehicles and technologies. Evident through the Japanese marque's many racing championships over the century, Mitsubishi cars are designed to enable drivers to go further.
Over the past century, MMC has achieved breakthroughs in electric vehicle (EV) transportation and contributed to the global community by developing new technologies. Staying true to its tagline - 'Drive@earth' - created in 2008, MMC pledges to create vehicles to preserve and sustain the global environment.
MMC developed the world's first production-ready electric vehicle - the i-MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle) - in 2009. It also unveiled the world's first plug-in hybrid Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) - the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) - in 2012.
Today, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is exported to 48 countries, including many advanced markets such as the Netherlands, Norway, France, the U.K., Germany, Australia and Japan. It is one of the world's most successful PHEV, with cumulative sales of over 70,000 units globally.
Moving forward, the public can look forward to the all new compact SUV - the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross - some time next year. It will join MMC's global lineup of crossover SUVs, which includes the ASX, the Outlander and the Outlander PHEV. The Eclipse Cross' sporty dynamic design is based on the XR-PHEV and XR-PHEV II concept models. This model also shares Mitsubishi Motor's new design language - Dynamic Shield. The new Dynamic Shield front design concept symbolises functionality and reassuring safety inherent to Mitsubishi Motors' SUVs.
After 100 years of automotive engineering and accomplishments, MMC is setting its sights on the next generation of EVs and connected car technologies. It will continue to provide new added value to its cars and contribute to the global community as it stays committed to the 'Drive@earth' philosophy.
