Mitsubishi's Canadian Sales Up Dramatically over Last Year

Oh, and while Mitsubishi doesn't target Toyota necessarily, the world's most profitable mass market automaker gobbles up

Mitsubishi will introduce a redesigned Eclipse in early June. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

more sales than any Japanese rival, not to mention that for every customer it loses it gains six. With this kind of competition, Mitsubishi should be glad it doesn't target Toyota directly.

All of this, of course, makes the Canadian division's gains all the more impressive. Its U.S. Division expects sales to rise 2 percent this year, after a record 37 percent dive last year.

"The lift in sales will come from Eclipse (car) and from the Raider pickup truck," said Rich Gilligan, Mitsubishi Motors North America's new chief executive. U.S. sales will be "up about 2 percent from '04," Gilligan added.

"It's a very exciting product for us right now," added Laframbroise. "The

An all-new Dodge Dakota-based Raider pickup truck is expected throughout the U.S. in October, and Canada in early 2006. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Eclipse name is well known, and has a very strong, loyal following."

Mitsubishi will introduce its redesigned Eclipse in early June, while an all-new Dodge Dakota-based Raider pickup truck is expected throughout the U.S. in October, and Canada in early 2006.

While losing as much ground as Mitsubishi has is never a good thing, the positive spin is that its making gains without zero profit fleet sales, without hair-brained incentive schemes and without giving away financing to anyone who can breathe; risks taken by former CEO Pierre Gagnon who is now heading up Malcolm Bricklin's Chinese concern, Chery in North America.