Mitsubishi Motors has started production of the 2013 Pajero Sport midsize SUV at its joint venture [with PSA] PCMA Rus assembly plant in Kaluga, Russia.
MMC expects demand for SUVs to steadily increase in Russia.
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The automaker began local (CKD) assemby of the smaller, redesigned Outlander at PCMA Rus in November 2012, after beginning with SKD assembly of the previous generation in April 2010.
The Pajero Sport – which is or has been badged in other markets as the Challenger, Montero, Nativa, Shogun and G-Wagon and is currently built also in Thailand, Brazil, Bangladesh and India – was first imported and sold in Russia in 2008.
Russian sales to date have passed 24,000 units. MMC said local production “caters more to the needs of Russian consumers, enhancing its marketability”.
MMC acquired 9% of its Russian distributor MMC Rus, formerly known as Rolf Import, in December 2012, aiming for quicker response to market needs. It is now combining sales and production functions there, aiming “to further expand sales in the increasingly competitive market as well as further solidify its operating base in one of its most important markets”.
