Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Mazda are reportedly reducing their European commitments in view of the unstable and weakening economic conditions on the continent.
Japanese business daily Nikkei said that, while the European debt crisis is having a relatively limited effect on these smaller Japanese automakers due to their limited market share in Europe, their sales since the end of 2011 have continued to slump and the carmakers are now reviewing their commitments in Europe which include deals for the supply of complete vehicles and components.
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For example, as Nikkei reported earlier, Isuzu will halt development work on a new engine for Opel/Vauxhall and pull out of a joint venture in Poland with parent General Motors.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Motors has stopped supplying its i-MiEV rebadged for PSA’s Peugeot and Citroen brands due to slow sales.
And Mazda is likely to stop sourcing small diesel engines from PSA and instead use its own for future new vehicles, the report said.
