Mitsubishi Motors North America’s launch of its fully redesigned 2006 Eclipse sport coupe on Thursday was brought forward by several weeks.
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At a starting price of under $US20,000 for the entry level GS trim, the new Eclipse – a model unique to North American markets – is $300 cheaper – and has more standard equipment – than its predecessor.
“Since our production ramp-up has been virtually flawless, we saw no reason to hold back on deliveries,” said Dave Schembri, executive vice president of sales and marketing at MMNA.
MMNA has been hit by financial problems stemming from the previous management’s decision to boost sales by making car purchase loans to a larger proportion of sub-prime customers, subsequently leading to a higher-than-industry-average number of defaults.
Sales have been hit by bad publicity surrounding the parent Japanese company’s recall scandal, and a lack of new products. According to WardsAuto.com, Mitsubishi’s US sales were off 40% for the first months of 2005, down to 44,050 units. A number of key executives have departed in recent months, but they have been replaced and the company appears determined to fight its way back up the sales charts, helped by several all-new car lines.
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By GlobalDataThe Eclipse is the first of three new products scheduled for launch in the next 12 months.
The standard engine is a 2.4-litre four-cylinder unit with five-speed manual transmission, GT versions have a 263-horsepower 3.8-litre V6 and six-speed gearbox as standard. Four- or five-speed automatics are optional.
Standard equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, front side curtain airbags, alloy wheels, air conditioning, power windows and power door locks, cruise control, remote entry, AM/FM/CD audio system with MP3 playback and six speakers, split folding rear seats and rear spoiler.
The GT also has traction control, ventilated rear disc brakes, a front strut tower bar and fog lamps plus, inside, a compass and outside temperature display.
A $1,500 optional sun and sound package for the GS includes a power sunroof, 650-watt Rockford Fosgate audio system with nine speakers including subwoofer, six-disc in-dash CD changer, steering wheel audio controls, auto-dimming rear view mirror, and compass and temperature displays.
The GT’s premium sport package, at $3,270, adds everything in the GS option pack plus automatic climate control, leather front seat surfaces, six-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, alloy pedals, 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/45R18 tyres and heated side view mirrors.
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