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!

Mitsubishi will release two versions of the JDM Outlander during 2010. The two models will be offered to customers both complete with a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The difference between the two models is the second, now branded as the Outlander Roadest, has a much more aggressive cosmetic look.

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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. Continue Reading

As consumers begin to demand more efficient cars, manufacturers are quickly implementing new models to meet these needs. Mitsubishi has recently developed the i-MiEV, a fully electric vehicle that can reach speeds up to 80mph and be charged to 80 percent in about twenty minutes. The i-MiEV is now enrolled in a trial program in which it has been distributed to customers in the midlands of the UK. Continue Reading

Although there’s no word whether or not it’ll show its face in the U.S. anytime soon (or ever), the Mitsubishi Concept PX- MiEV would make for an interesting ride. And to be sure, we will see some of the innovative technologies grace Mitsubishi models in the years to come.

This new half-SUV, half-crossover vehicle, dubbed a CUV, comes equipped with Mitsubishi’s new Plug-in Hybrid System and operates in three different drive modes: all-electric EV, on-the-move generating EV, and Motor + Engine. The vehicle automatically switches between the modes depending on the CUV’s battery life and outside conditions.  This in turn reveals an extremely efficient fuel economy, expected to be better than some high-end hybrids. And that’s only the beginning.

It’s appearance is very sleek and powerful: “Solid, Safety, and Simple were the keywords that drove the development of the MITSUBISHI Concept PX-MiEV ‘s exterior design.” It looks like a combination of the Mercedes ML SUV, the Nissan Murano and Toyota Highlander- all wrapped in to one. In terms of the interior, the Concept PX-MiEV makes for a comfortable environment for both driver and passengers. Its lined with nubuck leather and has an illuminated center console monitor and door trim that is said to “create a serene ambiance”.  The Eco Drive function is also available for drivers to switch on, bettering energy conservation and reduce power consumption.

Inside this Mitsubishi concept is a 1.6-liter MIVEC gasoline engine and lithium-ion battery with great charging capabilities. To start, its owner is able to preset charging times to periods where electricity is cheaper- at night for example-and when away from home, it can be plugged in to a “quick-charging station” at random facilities like shopping malls. In these instances, the battery will charge for approximately 30 minutes and automatically quit charging when the battery fuel reaches 80%.

Another unique trait of this CUV is its electronically- controlled air suspension, which allows the driver to control the desired height of the vehicle with the flip of a switch. This provides better stabilization, control, and smoothness over a variety of terrains, and also can provide ease when loading or unloading the vehicle in the “low” mode/height.

With its incredible technological advancements and innovations, we hope the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV makes its way to the U.S. market. If not, we still have the wonderful standard Mitsubishi lineup to choose from. Visit O’Brien Mitsubishi, Bloomington Mitsubishi dealer, and test-drive a Normal IL Mitsubishi Endeavor or a Normal IL used Galant. With great competitive pricing and a knowledgeable sales team, O’Brien is the way to go for a new or used Mitsubishi. Stop in today!