Mitsubishi experienced an increase in sales during the second quarter of this year. This exciting development is a great stride for the automaker with a 1.8 percent increase in April to June of 2010. The trend should continue with Mitsubishi having such a great momentum going into the high selling summer months. Recently, more and more car drivers in Bloomington IL buy used cars from Mitsubishi dealerships with great confidence in this brand.

During these still difficult economic times Mitsubishi should be extremely proud of their increased sales. Many popular Mitsubishi models are doing very well on the market. This June, both the Lancer and the Lancer Sportback performed up to par if not better. The Lancer is up 16.7 percent when compared to last June and the Lancer Sportback had its third best month since it debuted on the market last summer. Other models performing better than last summer include the Spyder and the Galant, doing 45% and 53% better in sales respectively.

Mitsubishi is planning to keep the momentum going through the rest of the year with the release of the 2011 Outlander Sport CUV. The 2011 Outlander Sport CUV has an aggressive, sporty exterior. The front end resembles the Mitsubishi Lancer, drawing the performance loving drivers into a bigger vehicle. The 2011 Outlander Sport CUV appears to be the perfect transition for Mitsubishi sport car drivers who need to upgrade to a vehicle with more room. Bloomington car dealers agree the Outlander Sport CUV will add to the increase in sales.

The Outlander Sport CUV will not disappoint Mitsubishi fans when it comes to what is under the hood. The Outlander Sport CUV is powered by a 2.0 liter MIVEC inline-four engine. The standard five speed manual transmission vehicle is capable of reaching 148 horsepower and 143 lb-ft of torque. The Outlander Sport CUV is estimated to have good fuel efficiency and decently priced, starting around $20,000. This sporty, smaller SUV is sure to add another popular vehicle to the Mitsubishi line.

Mitsubishi is demonstrating the versatility and capability of their vehicles through this increase in sales. This dependable automaker is experiencing great success and will continue to do so through the release of the new 2011 Outlander Sport CUV. Visit your local Bloomington car dealer for more information on Mitsubishi automobiles.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is jumping on the eco-bandwagon with the debut of the i-MiEV, their environmentally friendly, battery operated vehicle. The highway-capable vehicle has already achieved success over seas, but Bloomington car dealers will likely have to wait until 2015, when the vehicle is estimated to hit U.S. markets, to share such success. With the sustainable mobility trend at an all time high, Mitsubishi couldn’t have chosen a better time to make history with the first mass-produced, all electric vehicle.

The prevalence of electric vehicles, however, is nothing new to the U.S. market. Numerous other automakers have produced vehicles fueled by renewable energy, but the electrification of American highways has yet to be accomplished. So it seems logical to wonder, how does Mitsubishi plan to electrify American highways if it hasn’t already been done?

Much like other electric vehicles, the i-MiEV’s electric motor and compact lithium ion batteries power the vehicle, but it is the vehicle’s quick charging system that distinguishes it from the competition. Such progressive technology, which was recognized at the 2009 Tokyo International Motor Show with the “Most Advanced Technology” award, allows the battery to reach 80% capacity in 30 minutes.

Currently, drivers in Japan can stop at one of approximately 180 charging stations to recharge their car. When the i-MiEV comes to the U.S., drivers will have the option to stop at one of an estimated 150 – 250 charging stations that will be built, although Normal IL used Galant dealers believe that drivers will most frequently take advantage of a convenient at-home charging station or a portable battery charger.

Limited drive range is perhaps the biggest drawback to other manufacturer’s electric vehicles and is ultimately what has prevented these cars from already electrifying American highways. However, with the i-MiEV’s extended drive range due to its quick recharging time and speeds that can reach 80 miles per hour, it’s fair to say that Mitsubishi’s plan to electrify American highways is not only feasible, but inevitable.

A recent test drive in Northern California revealed a flawless drive performance, impressive stability and a surprisingly spacious interior that complement the i-MiEV’s prolonged drive range and eco-friendly appeal. The vehicle’s sustainable, all-electric performance not only eliminates the pollution that non-electric vehicles emit, but also saves money at the gas pump. The i-MiEV’s highway capabilities make the vehicle a practical, proficient alternative to other electric and non-electric vehicles.

My friends, it appears that in recent years the term “sport” for a vehicle has gone from meaning is sporty, to meaning it’s cute. Luckily in the new Mitsubishi Outlander Sport you can have a little of both.

For the past week and for another week to come, O’Brien Mitsubishi in Normal has had tents up screaming everything must go. About a year ago when the economy fell apart, the captain in charge of the Normal car dealer, Ryan Gremore, decided that he would become the new depot for used cars. A brilliant strategy that has since paid off and kept the auto dealer not just afloat, but continuing to grow.

Bloomington is a great town, and despite some of the major corporations here, is not a very high pressure town. If you were in Chicago you would always be expected as a successful person to have a brand new fancy car, but in Bloomington, IL buy used car and save the money. Along with the money you’ll save at O’brien, you’ll carry around the same self respect you would in the city, only here you’ll have money in your pocket and not on its way to the credit union.

Head to the corner of Fort Jesse and Veterans Parkway and talk to Ryan about getting your new used car, Bloomington, IL style! Right now the ads for the tent sale are all over the radio. I see them on TV every once in a while, but they usually show me some car I wouldn’t want and I make assumptions about what else they have on the lot. When I hear the radio ads it’s different. Theater of the mind takes over and I picture they have the perfect car that I’ve been looking for. When the radio announcer tells me that they won’t be undersold and everything must go to make more room on the lot I figure that’s the place I need to be.

Living in Bloomington is great. I can get the best onion rings at Schooners, the best bbq at Bandannas, listen to Cities 92.9 on the radio as I head up Veterans to O’brien Mitsubishi.

Sit back and imagine the craziest, most unique car currently available. Got the image? Well, despite everyone’s wild imaginations, I’m sure it at least had four wheels, right? If so, then you haven’t seen the EMC3 Commuter!

The vehicle is the newest advancement in Green automobile technology, and perhaps most intriguing, the EMC3 drives atop three wheels…yes, that’s correct. However, as any EMC3 dealer notes, the wheel-reduction delivers serious benefits.

To start, the EMC3 boasts an unbelievable 60 MGP. Even popular, cutting-edge hybrids cannot compare. The engineering feat is outstanding, but it’s even more impressive considering the vehicle’s humble beginnings. Unlike the typical environmentally-friendly vehicle conceptualized in expensive R&D facilities, the EMC3 started as David Joner and his children’s summer project.

Now there’s talks of an Illinois EMC3 dealership–not a bad end to a summer project!

Although the vehicle emphasizes gas mileage, according to an EMC3 dealer, it was designed with safety in mind. In addition to a roll bar, side-impact beams, and crumple zones, the EMC3 also comes equipped with two airbags. Therefore, despite its unorthodox appearance, it has the same priority as every popular automobile: driver safety.

The EMC3 isn’t a powerful car, but it’s not expected to be. It’s equipped with a one liter, 3-cylinder gas engine and disc brakes. Like other automobiles, it’s available in either 5-speed manual or automatic transmission. The manual model begins at $13,995 and the automatic version at $14,995. The manufacturer is currently taking reservations.

Cars certainly are available in all shapes and sizes, and apparently this variety now includes number of wheels. With automakers vying to produce the most efficient vehicle, they have a new contender in the competition–one that turns traditional design on its head and gets amazing results.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will enact new fuel economy regulations for 2011 vehicles which will ultimately result in a win-win-win situation for the environment, economy, and drivers. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) introduced an 18 MPG regulation for passenger vehicles only when enacted by congress in 1975. While slight amendments have been made to CAFE standards over the years, the newest reform will reflect the most drastic change in their 30-year history with a 35% increase in fuel economy for cars and trucks combined. This amendment will enforce Bloomington IL new car dealers to obtain 37.8 mpg for passenger vehicles and 28.8 mpg for trucks by the year 2016.

The 2016 CAFE standards will perhaps have the biggest impact on the environment, which will benefit from the reduced greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide. The Union of Concerned Scientists says that approximately 5 pounds of global warning pollution are produced per gallon of gas. Basic math will confirm, the higher the fuel economy of a vehicle, the less pollution produced.

The next win that the 2016 CAFE standards will award goes to the economy. Increased fuel economy standards will save the U.S. 1.1 million barrels of oil a day, much of which is foreign oil. The decreased foreign oil will help cut the $1 billion dollars spent per day to import petroleum products and moderate the amount of reliance placed on foreign nations.

The CAFE regulations will also be advantageous for drivers. While the cost of a vehicle that can reach the set forth fuel economy standards will more than likely cost extra, such an increase will be compensated with the reduced fuel costs. The increased cost that CAFE standards add to vehicles is estimated to be around the $1,000 – $2,000 range and will actually be offset with the reduced fuel costs that are estimated to reach $4,000 in a vehicle’s lifetime.

While the new CAFE guidelines seem extreme, Bloomington IL car dealers acknowledge that a greener future is only a possibility with such regulations enforced. And the additional benefits that come with such a reform don’t hurt either.   

During times of economic distress, we all must cut back. Even large, recognizable companies, whose products and brand are instantly known, are cutting costs and streamlining their workflow. For Mitsubishi, the industry-wide cutbacks resulted in the closing of tuner Ralliart, which was closely associated with the automaker.

Fortunately for customers at the Mitsubishi Bloomington car dealer, according to the automaker’s spokesperson Maurice Durand, the close won’t affect Ralliart-branded Mitsubishi models sold in the United States.

The reason is because the closure applies only to the Ralliart subsidiary in Japan, which produces high-performance parts for street and race cars. Therefore, only manufacturers that import official Ralliart Japan products will be affected. In most markets, the Ralliart parts are merely rebranded components produced by another tuner.

Thus, for a Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer, the closing will signal no drastic changes, especially since the parts used on official Ralliart models sold in the U.S. are developed separately.

However, according to Durand, Ralliart vehicles might still have a future as Mitsubishi might continue producing them. For hardcore tuners, the closure of Ralliart might be considered a loss. Yet, in the current economic climate, people have drastically altered their car-purchasing habits. The demand for high-performance parts has declined, a reality confirmed by employees at a Bloomington car dealer.

The specific services and processes scheduled to cease due to the closing include the company’s support to motorsport customers (Technical Support and Mitsubishi/Ralliart Driver of the Year award); new planning, development, and merchandizing of Ralliart products; and dispatching of new product and motorsport information over the internet.

The only Ralliart products continuing production are the FIA VO parts with Mitsubishi also taking on all those remaining in development. Information concerning FIA Group-N will also now reside on the Mitsubishi website.

When the dust clears, the majority of customers at the Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer wont be affected by the change. Without a doubt, Mitsubishi will mourn the loss of this long-standing partnership. However, its dedication to customers remains strong, and the automaker will keep producing the official Ralliart models in the U.S. to meet ongoing demand.

Mitsubishi has announced it will increase production of i-MiEVs, as orders have far exceeded expectations. The Nikkei reports that Mitsubishi’s battery suppliers have been told that they plan to make 9,000 i-MiEVs this year. Lithium Energy Japan, a partnership between GS Yuasa, Mitsubishi Motors and Mitsubishi Corp., will make enough packs for 7,000 cars while GS Yuasa will make an additional 2,000 packs. The car, which has been available to corporate customers in Japan since last year, goes on sale to the general public there in April.

This i minicar from Mitsubishi replaces four-speed automatic transmission with a two-position gear selector that lets you choose Drive or Eco mode. And where the tachometer normally goes on the instrument panel, this i sports a meter that indicates the charge status of the battery and the discharge rate. But the most critical innovation is the replacement of conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries in favor of the latest, state-of-the-art lithium-ion kind. Smaller, lighter and more powerful, these batteries are being co-developed by Mitsubishi Motors, GS Yuasa Ltd. and Mitsubishi Trading Co. See your Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer for more.

Powering the electric-powered iMIEV is a rear-mounted, permanent-magnet synchronous motor developing 63 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque. It jumps from rest to 60 mph in under 9.0 seconds on its way to a top speed of 82 mph. Flick the gear selector into Eco and the power output drops automatically from 63 hp to 43 hp, extending your cruising range. In ideal conditions, the i MIEV gets 100 miles on a full charge. Learn more at your Mitsubishi Bloomington car dealership.

As for charging the battery, there’s a three-way system. There’s plug-in recharging using the Japanese grid, which takes 14 hours for a full charge on a 100-volt domestic outlet or half that time on a 200-volt industrial outlet. There’s also a Mitsubishi-built quick-charge system that replenishes 80 percent of the battery charge in just 30 minutes. And if you charge at night, you can reduce your running costs by 87 percent compared to the conventional gasoline-powered i. If you take into account the CO2 emissions produced by Japan’s electric power plants (most use nuclear power) that produce the electricity required to refuel the car, then the i MIEV emits only 28 percent of the CO2 of a comparable gasoline-powered i.

For for on the Mitsubishi iMIEV and other Mitsubishi vehicles, visit your Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer.

There’s big news concerning the future of the Mitsubishi Evolution. Recently, the automaker confirmed that the 2013 Evolution is going green with a hybrid powertrain. Boasting plug-in capabilities and a short-distance EV mode that operates without the gasoline-fueled engine, this new Evolution promises to be the best one yet.

Customers at a Bloomington car dealership might recognize the hybrid technology since it matches the platform in the PX-MiEV concept model, which Mitsubishi unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show back in October 2009. Using this technology, the 2013 Evolution’s primary power source will be the electric motor, which drives the front wheels. While the gas engine, when needed, will power the back wheels. The hybrid system is powered by lithium-ion batteries.

This update guarantees the 2013 Evolution will be more fuel efficient and produce significantly less CO2 emissions. However, many fear these environmental benefits will sacrifice engine strength and horsepower. Mitsubishi understands these concerns and reassures buyers at the Normal car dealer that their worries are unfounded.

In the 2013 Evolution, the electric motor will be an upgraded version of the one featured in the PX-MiEV concept. The improved 2.0 liter engine will generate around 320 horsepower. The current Evolution model only offers 291 horsepower. Speculation suggests the engine’s target acceleration rate might be approximately 0-60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds. Going green was never faster!

For all the car aficionados at Bloomington car dealerships, the new handling upgrades, which weren’t completed for the Mitsubishi Evolution X, will be incorporated in the 2013 Evolution XI. These upgrades include Active Steering and Roll Control Suspension in addition to the electronically-controlled Active Yaw Control system that regulates torque distribution between the two rear wheels.

Should Mitsubishi deliver on each of these promises, the 2013 Evolution will represent the complete package: a perfect union between speed and environmental benefits with an added helping of cutting edge technology. The automaker will have consumers rushing to the Normal car dealer for a test drive.

Mitsubishi is hopeful that sometime in the very near future their electric cars will be a staple on the roads of America. The automaker hopes to have electric vehicles available for purchase to the general public by winter or spring of next year. While these vehicles are not currently available at your local Bloomington car dealership, Mitsubishi believes the interest is there and that the vehicles will be widely popular when they become available in the future.

Mitsubishi has developed cars such as the i-MiEV to debut their hybrid technology and these vehicles are currently being used by government agencies around the country. Trials like these, as well as survey results that show nine percent of Japanese customers as well as eight percent of Americans are interested in purchasing electric vehicles give Mitsubishi confidence that automobiles like i-MiEV are the wave of the future. Dealerships as local as Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer O’Brien Mitsubishi of Normal report customers interested in hybrid technology.

The i-MiEV is currently on roads all over the country in prototype form, with many of these vehicles occurring in Japan where the first customer available EV Mitsubishis are expected to debut. Japanese drivers who have had the opportunity to drive the Mitsubishi i-MiEV report the car is fun to drive and simple to charge.

The i-MiEV comes with a 200 volt plug which is inserted into a socket and then charged for whatever duration of time the driver chooses. This Mitsubishi charges to 80 percent of its batter capacity in approximately 30 minutes. There are currently not many charging stations and the cost at present is free, however when EV’s become available locally at Bloomington, IL car dealers these details will certainly change.

Electric vehicles like the Mitsubishi i-MiEV are drumming up considerable interest not only because they are so environmentally friendly, they are also cost efficient and an incredibly innovative new technology. Drivers who have had the opportunity to use the i-MiEV report the car handles well and accelerates smoothly. It also is virtually silent and includes features such as a gauge reading “remaining mileage” to let drivers know how much further they can drive before power runs out. To find out more about Mitsubishi electric vehicles visit your local Bloomington IL car dealers and Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer.

There’s a possibility a new vehicle may appear on the lot at your Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer?  Mitsubishi Motors is looking into manufacturing and selling the Triton, a pickup truck,  here in the United States.  This is coming after slipping sales for the company.  In 2009, sales fell nearly45%.  In an economy where most businesses are struggling to stay afloat, this is not good news.  However, Mitsubishi Motors is not giving up!  Kudos for that, as Mitsubishi cars are great!

The car company has one manufacturing plant in the United States, in Normal, IL.  They too have felt the effects of lowered sales.  Last year, the plant made approximately 18,000 vehicles and their capacity is stated to be 135,000.  But, years ago when the plant was a joint project with Chrysler, around 240,000 autos came out of the center.  If the Triton could be made there and sales for it would be profitable, this would be a great thing for the Normal car dealer.

So, you must be thinking, what are some features of the Triton?  This truck is a big hit in Australia, for example.  So much so, that in summer 2009, inventory was running low in the country from high sales the month of June.  The Triton is both heavy duty and rugged, while at the same time a reliable family vehicle.  What a great addition it would be at Bloomington IL car dealers.

The 2010 Triton’s come with quite a few safety features.  For example, driver and passenger front side airbags come standard, as do child restraint points.  Electronic brakeforce distribution is also on this truck.  This system helps evenly apply brake pressure, based on varying surfaces, vehicle load, etc.  Your Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer is hoping to carry this durable, yet safe, truck!

What type of engine and driving system is found in this truck?  Several four wheel drive options are available (overseas, only, right now!).  There is a new turbo diesel high performance engine in the 2010 models.  One 4WD option has a 2.5L engine that gives 131 kw of power.  The fuel economy on the possible Normal car dealer truck has been improved approximately 9%.

It would be great if production could come to the Normal plant.  This may help generate new or keep current jobs and maybe improve the company’s overall sales?  In the meantime, visit your Bloomington IL car dealers for great deals!