Mitsubishi's Canadian Sales Up Dramatically over Last Year

Next in line is the compact Outlander crossover SUV with a 47.4 percent increase in sales during the same period, followed

"We believe in keeping those names that have some staying power," Laframbroise said of the Raider's designation. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

by the recently introduced midsize Galant sedan with a 25.8 percent improvement.

And interestingly enough, despite being replaced soon the Eclipse is up 24 percent for Q1 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004.

Sales of this last model will get a boost when the new, much improved Eclipse coupe debuts this spring, sporting a 263-horsepower V6 and six-speed manual transmission in its sportiest GT guise.

In September Mitsubishi will introduce a Dodge Dakota-based pickup truck dubbed Raider, in the U.S., a model that will enter

"We need to get more people's seats in our cars, for them to see how good they are." (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Canada in early 2006 according to Laframbroise.

If the name Raider sounds familiar, it's because Mitsubishi sold a Dodge-branded Montero-based SUV by the Raider nameplate in the mid-'80s.

"We believe in keeping those names that have some staying power," Laframbroise said of the Raider's designation.