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.

It’s not often customers experience the best of both worlds. In fact, when manufacturers even attempt this feat, it frequently ends in disaster. However, Mitsubishi appears to have perfected the balance with the 2010 Lancer Sportback.

Don’t believe it? Well, the car is available to test drive at any Bloomington car dealer. After one cruise around town, you’ll agree it’s the perfect blend between sporty styling and the versatile functionality of a hatchback.

The 2010 Sportback bears little resemblance in either feature or function to the 2004 Sportback, which was essentially a wagon version of the year’s Lancer model. Instead, the 2010 version cultivates a unique look among hatchbacks: its hatch is raked forward, and it sports a standard rear-window spoiler and 18-inch alloy wheels. Each addition contributes to the Sportback’s updated, sporty appearance.

Customers at a Bloomington car dealer realize recreating the true sports-car experience involves more than simply tightening a car’s suspension. Therefore, to ensure the Sportback embodied the first half of its title, Mitsubishi focused on fine-tuning the overall ride comfort to guarantee an entertaining, enjoyable driving experience. The Sportback’s suspension is perfectly balanced, and the steering responds quickly and effortlessly. Both pedals are responsive, matching the car’s overall perfect calibration. Even the brake pedal’s distance was increased to allow the driver greater control.

In addition, the Sportback provides a powerful helping underneath the hood. It boasts a 168-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which should satisfy most drivers. However, for those craving more power, Mitsubishi offers a Ralliart edition that’s equipped with a 237-horsepower, turbocharged engine.

According to the EPA, the estimated gas mileage is 20/27 miles per gallon city/highway for manual transmission. For automatic, the numbers shift slightly to 21/27 miles per gallon for city/highway.

The Sportback is affordable, too. In Bloomington IL., new car prices are kept competitive. The vehicle retails between $19,190 and $27,590. With a starting price like that, Mitsubishi is hoping everyone might experience this car’s unique merging of sporty styling and functionality. Thus, never again will consumers struggle between these two considerations.

Mitsubishi has recently unleashed a new CUV, an all-new ASX crossover, at the 2010 New York Auto Show earlier this year. The newest addition to their Outlander family lineup has already been introduced to other parts of the world, and now the car company feels it is ready for the United States. The only problem is, it needs a name.

Officials at Mitsubishi have been calling it the “Outlander Sport,” however this name is not official. Interestingly enough, Mitsubishi is leaving it up for the public to decide what the new model should be called, by announcing a naming contest for those who are confident – and creative – enough to submit their ideas. While some people may feel “Outlander Sport” is good enough, spectators will have to wait and see what contestants come up with, and if Mitsubishi chooses a suitable name for the crossover utility vehicle. Those interested can find details at the Bloomington car dealer, or also test drive or purchase a used car in Bloomington, IL.

Anyone interested in entering the contest may need to know that Mitsubishi has designed the new model with a stunning style and a rigid, lightweight body. Furthermore, the smart-sized sleek-looking crossover combines fuel efficiency with top-of-the-notch performance. The manufacturers at Mitsubishi have enabled the new model with an estimated fuel economy in the 31 mpg range, using regenerative braking and enhanced class-leading aerodynamics. Some other premium features include Active Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Electric Power Steering, a comprehensive seven-airbag safety system, and a high-contrast LCD instrument display.

On top of all this, shoppers in the U.S. will have two trims to choose from: an ES version with standard 5-speed manual transmission or the premium SE version with standard 6-speed CVT transmission and magnesium-alloy paddle shifters, not to mention an electronically controlled All-Wheel Control system. Interested consumers should visit the Bloomington car dealer to test drive this impressive model, as it is expected to hit dealership lots – with a name – by the end of this year. Owners of a used car in Bloomington, IL may be interested to find out that both versions of this new Mitsubishi CUV come standard with 148 horsepower, MIVEC-equipped 2.0L four-cylinder engine, and has 145 pound-feet of torque. Hopefully Mitsubishi picks a name soon, as many of us are surely eager to  observe the new model for ourselves as soon as possible.

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.

The new Mitsubishi’s ASX has pulled down three-and-a-half times the hoped-for monthly sales in the first four weeks on the market in Japan, but is it enough for worldwide success? We’ll soon find out when the model makes its way to the US.

Tax breaks, plus the ASX’s manageable size and just-right equipment level are universal ways to connect with buyers anywhere, and was what probably contributed to its initial success. The ASX represents the brand’s move towards on-road crossovers, a move inspired by research showing that buyers of its Outlander big brother cross-shopped D-segment sedans rather than midsized SUV/CUVs. North American buyers will get the ASX badged as the Outlander Sport. It’s not yet clear what the trim levels are going to be for the U.S. market, other than the understanding that Mitsubishi’s 2.0 liter MIVEC engine will be standard equipment. Stay tuned as the vehicle makes its way to your Bloomington car dealer.

The unveiling of this smart-looking ASX crossover at the New York auto show is one of Mitsubishi’s ways to celebrate its 140th birthday this year. The ASX is the production version of the CX concept debuted in Frankfurt a couple of years ago, and it’ll reach British roads this summer with the express intention of muscling in on Nissan Qashqai territory. The car seats five and is available in both front- and four-wheel drive. There’s also plenty of green tech on board. There’s a new 148bhp 1.8-litre diesel, which gets stop-start and brake regeneration technology as standard and – in front-wheel drive form – returns 145g/km of CO2. The 1.6-litre petrol manages 135g/km. See your Bloomington car dealer for more.

And while you’re waiting for the ASX to reach your town, check out the Bloomington IL used cars selection at your local dealer. Take a look at featured vehicles like the i MiEV, 2010 Endeavor, 2010 Galant, 2011 Lancer, 2010 Eclipse Spyder, Honda CR-V, Dodge Charger, Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Fusion, GMC Sierra, and more. And now at your Bloomington car dealer get 23% off a new Mitsubishi during the month of April for their 23rd Anniversary sale. Come on down and test-drive a vehicle today!

Mitsubishi has introduced a new concept automobile that is causing chatter all over the globe. This particular car is called the RVR model in Japan and the ASX in Europe. Mitsubishi has not yet officially released the details of the American model but some are speculating it will be dubbed the Outlander Sport here in the States. Bloomington car dealer, O’Brien Normal, reveals the Outlander Sport is a crossover vehicle Mitsubishi has developed for individuals looking to purchase a great spacious vehicle on a budget.

The Outlander Sport will be a great option for car buyers looking to invest in Mitsubishi’s quality automobiles while still being cost efficient. The Outlander Sport has a four-cylinder engine but many of the other details remain sketchy. It is rumored Mitsubishi wants the Outlander Sport to be a more fuel efficient version of the Outlander, hoping to reach at least a fuel efficiency of 30 miles per gallon on the highway.  The Outlander Sport under other titles is available in other markets in a six-speed manual version, however for North America the details are unknown.

The European ASX debuted at the Geneva Auto show, and with the excitement that followed Bloomington car dealers expect the North American Outlander Sport model will debut at the New York International Auto Show this year as planned.  Mitsubishi designed this particular model to demonstrate the automaker’s ability to produce smaller, fuel efficient vehicles, and they have succeeded.  Not only is the Outlander Sport sleek and sporty looking it is also affordable. Auto industry experts are guessing the MSRP for the Outlander Sport will begin at $21,605.

Locally, many car buyers living in Bloomington IL buy used cars  made my Mitsubishi as an affordable option. However, the debut of the Outlander Sport may be able to sway these individuals into purchasing a brand new Mitsubishi automobile. The Outlander Sport has the attractive physique of an SUV in a condensed more manageable form. It also has five seats and storage capacity comparable to an SUV but is much more affordable and environmentally responsible.

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is set to debut this year and will have many car buyers looking into this incredible new option. To find out more information about the Outlander Sport or any other Mitsubishi vehicle visit your local Bloomington car dealers or visit the Mitsubishi website.

Trends always seem to start on the West Coast and make their way East (at least that’s what Californians like to tell themselves).  Well, if this theory holds true, within a few months, when you make a call to the Best Buy Geek Squad, they may be showing up in your driveway in the latest electric car from Mitsubishi, the i-MiEV.  As part of the continued effort to expand awareness and publicity surrounding the i-MiEV, Mitsubishi has teamed up with the Best Buy in El Segundo, California by equipping their Geek Squad with four new JDM-spec i-MiEV city cars. The move makes the West coast squad the first of its kind to be emissions free, a move that your Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer hopes will effectively continue to raise awareness on the benefits of going green and driving electric cars.

Why is this move significant for Bloomington IL Mitsubishi car drivers? Well for starters, it shows Best Buy and the Geek Squad’s commitment to doing what they can for the planet, which means a lot to someone like me who is particularly environmentally conscious.  But beyond that and from a business standpoint, by equipping themselves with affordable and efficient electric cars, the Geek Squad can continue to provide superior services in a cost-effective manner.  Not having to pay for gas mileage at a time when gas prices are always rising is good news for anyone who might call the Geek Squad frequently (ahem, like my technologically challenged husband.  Who knew setting up an X-Box 360 could be so challenging?).

Any skeptics out there who fear an electric car might not be reliable enough to make it to you in your time of need (like when your wife screws up the HD TV the night before the Super Bowl, not that I know anything about that)?  Well, no need to worry, the i-MiEV has an estimated range of 80-100 miles per charge and thanks to 133 pound-feet of torque, it has decent pick up for a rear-wheel drive electric vehicle.  Your Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer could provide you with more facts and figures, but in short this means that the Geek Squad will have no trouble making it to all of their house calls.  (So yes honey, you can relax, if our Geek Squad acquires their own fleet of i-MiEVs and the TV stops working, it can still get fixed before the big game!)

So when can you expect to see this trend in Bloomington IL? Mitsubishi car dealers hope soon, but the car is still in its trial period so it’s hard to say. To get more information on this and other trends that you won’t get from just any Bloomington car dealer, stop in to your local Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer.

Back in early December it was announced at the Tokyo Motor Show that Mitsubishi finally was going to bring the Colt back over to the States. For months we were left wondering if the subcompact car, long-popular in other parts of the country because of its sweet body and tiny frame, would be headed our way, but now longtime fans of one of Mitsubishi’s smallest vehicles can rejoice. The Colt is coming.

And what a time to come. Small cars are a hit with the buying public right now—not only are they easy to park, easy to drive, and easy on gas usage, but they’re also trendy—so much so that Ford and Mazda have plans to bring over small cars soon as well. Any Bloomington car dealer peddling Mitsubishis will have done very well in the last couple of years with the Outlander, Lancer, and EVO, but some other vehicles have been a little more challenging to move. In Normal, used cars like the Eclipse and Galant have struggled, and the Colt is expected to remedy some of those down sales.

Many already are lauding the move as a huge step in the right direction for Mitsubishi, but the even more interesting tidbit about the re-introduction of the Colt to the States is the fact that it’s not the current Colt that’s being brought over. Instead, Mitsubishi is planning on bringing over a new-and-improved version of the car for American sensibilities.

This new car is, in fact, even smaller than the Colt driving all over Japanese and European roads right now. Instead of a 1.6-liter engine, the new Colt is expected to have a 1.0-to-1.3-liter engine, and other minor changes and upgrades are expected as well. Either a hybrid or plug-in, all-electric version of the car is being planned for 2013, but Mitsubishi doesn’t know which of those two options they’ll pursue just yet. Whatever it is it’ll be with future American fuel economy standards in mind.

While it’s unlikely that the new Colt will do much for Bloomington, IL used cars, the upcoming crops of new Mitsubishi vehicles will certainly be further bolstered by the release of this new subcompact automobile headed our way. Consumers get what consumers want, and small vehicles are what consumers want right now. Mitsubishi has proven that it’s more than happy to oblige.

Mitsubishi is stepping up its game in the next year to help boost its sales and target the desires of potential car buyers. To do this, they’ve chose to focus on the booming business of fuel- efficient vehicles, specifically hybrids- both electric and plug-ins- and overall smaller vehicles.

One of the upcoming additions to the Mitsubishi lineup is a slight alteration to the standard crossover vehicle, the Outlander. This time they’ve added a word in its name that brings a whole new element of driving to the mind of car buyers: “Sport”. This Outlander Sport model is set to hit the U.S. market- while simultaneously being sold worldwide- in the fall of 2010.

Not many details have been released about these changes coming to the standard Outlander that you can currently find at your Bloomington car dealer but we can only assume they’re going to speed up the performance, literally, and possibly take up less space on the road with a more aerodynamic design. Sounds similar to the concept cX model released in 2007, huh? Sure does- and we’re pretty sure that’s the sole inspiration for this new Sport.

Though we don’t know much about this new Mitsubishi that will be arriving at local Bloomington car dealerships in 2010, we know a few things. The new Sport is to be built on the same platform as the Mitsubishi Lancer sedan. In addition, it will be powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, with drivers being able to choose between front or all-wheel drive. In my experience test driving cars at Bloomington, IL car dealers, I’ve learned that nothing is quite so satisfying as a compact, peppy SUV on a car frame. The bumps become afterthoughts, while the storage space and big-vehicle capability remain.

Refreshing our knowledge of the current Outlander that I’ve test driven at Bloomington IL new car dealerships, only assuming the Sport will up the ante, we can first focus on the safety features. First, to show off, the Outlander was named a top safety pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This reassuring title is attributed to its extensive passenger protection: dual-stage front SRS airbags, front seat mounted airbags and back front and side- curtain airbags. In addition, the Outlander comes equipped with standard ABS (anti-lock brakes), ASC (Active Stability Control) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution). These fancy names make it sound real safe, right?

The current Outlander, seating 5-7 passengers, achieves a 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway average. We’re hoping the Sport does improve on this sector, as their goal is to perfect the fuel-efficient side of their vehicle production.

All we can do is wait. It’s going to be a long year until we’re able to see how Mitsubishi will surprise us with the birth of one of its most popular model’s fraternal twins. Until then, come into to your local Normal Mitsubishi dealer, O’Brien Mitsubishi, and test-drive any of the new or used models. See you next fall Outlander Sport!