Mitsubishi

The origins of Mitsubishi's automotive division date back to 1917, when the Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. introduced the Mitsubishi Model A, Japan's first series-production passenger car. However, the automotive business remained a department within Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for decades until Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) was formally established as an independent company in 1970 to facilitate a partnership with Chrysler. During the 1980s and 1990s, Mitsubishi experienced a golden era of engineering and global expansion, fueled by its dominance in world-class rally competitions. Icons like the Pajero (Montero) and the Lancer Evolution established the brand's reputation for rugged durability and sophisticated all-wheel-drive systems, such as the Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) technology. The early 2000s were marked by significant challenges, including a major corporate scandal involving the systematic cover-up of vehicle defects and a subsequent decline in market share. This period required a massive restructuring effort, leading the company to pivot its focus toward SUVs and crossovers while becoming an early leader in electrification with the launch of the i-MiEV in 2009 and the Outlander PHEV in 2013. In 2016, Nissan acquired a 34% controlling stake in Mitsubishi Motors following a fuel-economy testing scandal, effectively bringing the company into the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance. Today, Mitsubishi operates under the 'Small but Beautiful' strategy, concentrating its resources on the ASEAN region and leveraging Alliance-shared platforms to modernize its global lineup while leading the group's PHEV development.