"If you talk to the dealers, the Number one problem is (lack of showroom) traffic," continued O'Neill. "We have to build value into these products. And rebuilding brand trust takes time."
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| As long as Mitsubishi can remain afloat and keep producing dynamic vehicles like the Endeavor (shown), it should eventually get back on its feet. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Only time will tell if O'Neill's vision for Mitsubishi will bear fruit, if the Hyundai-style warranty, restructuring of the company with a reduction in retailers, fewer core models to inventory and greater focus put on quality over quantity, will result in increased sales and more importantly, the automaker seeing black ink. Can Mitsubishi pull off a turnaround similar to what Mazda and Nissan have done in recent years? Certainly it can, although Mazda and Nissan were backed by large automakers as committed majority owners, both for funding and component sharing, the first being Ford Motor and the latter being Europe's Renault. While DaimlerChrysler still remains in the picture with regards to certain component sharing, especially to its own benefit with regards to small and midsize car architectures, there will be no more funding coming from Germany.
Mitsubishi, therefore, is left to weather the storm alone, partnered only by investment groups and banks. But like the weather, the storm will pass. As long as Mitsubishi can remain afloat and keep producing dynamic cars, the cycle will come around and the tri-diamond brand will be hot once again.