Mitsubishi's Canadian Sales Up Dramatically over Last Year

So why are sales up? The aggressive marketing campaign has pulled potential buyers into showrooms for sure, partially lured in

So why are sales up? Mitsubishi's industry-best 5-year or 100,000 km bumper-to-bumper and 10-year or 160,000 km powertrain warranty coverage hasn't hurt its prospects. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

due to the brand's industry-best 5-year or 100,000 km bumper-to-bumper and 10-year or 160,000 km powertrain warranty coverage.

The cars have to be good, however, if the upstart brand is going to get import buyers to switch loyalties and buy into the tri-diamond philosophy.

"We need to get more people's seats in our cars, for them to see how good they are," added Laframbroise. "The warranty doesn't hurt either!"

The best way to do that is to offer an entry-level B-segment car; something like Hyundai's Accent, Kia's Rio or Toyota's Echo Hatch. Of course, Mitsubishi doesn't have anything like this in the North American market, at least not yet.

"If we could bring something like the Mitsubishi Colt in at the right price

The Colt has been extremely popular with the youth market in Europe, where it has also been praised by auto journalists and won a variety of awards. (Photo: Mitsubishi Motors North America)

point we would definitely be in favour of it," commented Laframbroise.

The Colt, made in the Netherlands on the same line as DaimlerChrysler's smart forfour, has been extremely popular with the youth market in Europe, where it has also been praised by auto journalists and won a variety of awards.

"The name is ideal too," Laframbroise added. "Colt is on the radar screen of many North Americans."