Mitsubishi Motors reportedly has decided not to develop any more sedans because of severe competition within the segment. It will focus instead on SUVs and PHEVs.

This decision means Mitsubishi will not launch replacements for the Lancer, Galant/380 or Evo, CarAdvice reported.

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Tetsuro Aikawa, Mitsubishi Motors president and COO, said: “Unfortunately, for a while we are not planning any development of sedans. While I’m the president, [there will] probably [be] no introduction of the next-generation Lancer… we will continue to sell [the] current Lancer.”

“There are two reasons for that. One of the reasons is because, concerning the investment on development, we’d like to concentrate on SUVs, PHEVs and EVs.”

He said sedan segments worldwide were very competitive and was to difficult to make them profitably.

“A year ago, we did a feasibility study on a joint venture with Renault, but it was not a win-win scenario so we decided to stop. That is one evidence showing the sedan business is very difficult,” Aikawa added.

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CarAdvice said the strategy meant no redesigned traditional Evo was planned Mitsubishi wants to create a plug-in hybrid SUV with vast power reserves to carry that “hallowed badge”.

“We’re not going to engage in new development of sedans any more, [a new Evo sedan] will not be developed in future. But we understand a lot of people’s expectations towards Evo,” Aikawa said.

The current Lancer dates back about eight years, the report noted. Some Japanese automakers have peviously renewed models every four years with a mid-life facelift afte two.

Aikawa told CarAdvice there was not yet any plan to cease production of the current Lancer.