Mitsubishi Motors (MMC) will start sales of its new Mirage ‘global compact car’ in Thailand from 28 March.
The automaker described the car as having been “developed under a revolutionary concept that fulfills the both the needs of incredibly-growing emerging markets as an entry-level car and eco-conscious advanced markets with its superior environmental performance”. The new model will be made in a new factory – MMC’s third on its Laem Chabang site and its largest plant outside of Japan.
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The Mirage will first be sold in Thailand, followed by ASEAN countries, Japan, Europe, then other markets.
MMC president Osamu Masuko said: “I am pleased to present the Mirage first in Thailand. It is an all-new compact car focused on premium fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions just right for the times where demand for superior fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness are increasing all over the world.
“I would like to personally thank the Thai government for their promotion of their ‘Eco-car Program’, allowing us the chance to bolster our Thai operations.”
Similar in size and specification to the rival Nissan Micra, production of which was transferred from Japan to Thailand when it was redesigned last year, the Thai-market Mirage will have a 1.2-litre MIVEC engine that delivers fuel efficiency of 22km/litre, claimed to be among the best in its class, and above the Thai government’s requirements for ‘eco-car’ certification 5. It will be priced between THB380,000 (US$12,300) to THB551,000 ($17,800) depending on trim level and the sales target is 2,500 units a month.
Mitsubishi previously used the Mirage name on a model line that ran from 1978 to 2002 and also sold under a variety of other brands and nameplates including Plymouth and Colt.
