As a car fan, I was watching the latest Grand Tour, the “Sandi Flick” and it was great to see James May had selected the Mitsubishi Evo. The last exciting car Mitsubishi has made.
I grew up in the 1980s and Mitsubishi consistently would come out with great cars! The top-of-the-range Sigma in 1985 had a digital dashboard, climate-controlled air conditioning, and cruise control. Mitsubishi also perfected turbocharging and came out with a range of affordable sports cars. They even were one of the first to create a 6-seater with the Chariot!
What a line-up
Mitsubishi also had an eye on the future with concept cars to consider the future and test new features. Many of these concepts are on vehicles today. This concept car was from the 1980’s!
Then with technology ahead of the market, Mitsubishi launched the Galant VR4 with 4-wheel drive and 4-wheel steering!
Then of course the EVO which inspired the PlayStation generation.
Amazing to think a manufacturer who did all this, now only makes a few 4-wheel drives and crossovers.
It would seem Mitsubishi has lost its love for cars. It seems to have lost its purpose, it's now just taglines, financial forecasts, and meetings.
At the same time, look at the resurgence of Toyota, a new leader who loves cars is now in charge and Toyota cars are becoming exciting again with Gazoo Racing becoming their sports brand for car lovers. They are their halo cars.
Car lovers are buying Toyota for the first time. Ten years ago if you told them they would own a Toyota they would have laughed at you.
Leadership that inspires purpose makes such a difference, it is transformational, especially with an emotive product like cars!
Let's hope Mitsubishi finds its purpose again and begins producing great cars again.