Mitsubishi Motors Europe has officially marked the start of Outlander SUV production at its NedCar plant, located in Born, the Netherlands, with the usual ceremony attended by key executives and officials.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Preparation began in September 2007, pre-production started last 13 May and full production on 1 August.
The official ‘first Outlander off the line’ was donated to a charity.
Born is assembling the popular SUV from knock-down kits shipped from Japan. It is built on a dedicated line in the hall previously used for Space Star production, with a daily rate of 130 cars in one shift.
Annual output of 30,000 units is planned in a full year. Outlander’s global production will eventually reach 180,000 units a year, adding NedCar’s volume to the MMC Okazaki plant’s 150,000 units a year.
With 600 staff, Outlander production makes the best use of existing Nedcar facilities, with extra equipment only where necessary (body welding, final assembly and logistics). Outer side panels are actually pressed by NedCar’s press shop rather than imported.
To start with, the only European components are the PSA Peugeot Citroën- and VAG-sourced diesel engines as well as those pressed panels. Over time, local procurement may be increased, based on economic feasibility.
Mitsubishi moved European Outlander production to Europe to free up extra capacity in Japan for its new Lancer line.
The SUV and PSA derivatives will eventually also be built in Russia in a JV plant.
