Mitsubishi Previews New Global Small Car
One car, for each segment, in all markets. It's an approach that is rapidly becoming the norm: the new Ford Focus has been developed to a single global formula, as has Holden's GM-sourced 2011 Barina, and, similarly, Nissan's new Micra is to be sold in over 150 countries. It is an increasingly long list.
Joining the paradigm is Mitsubishi's new global small car, teased in these new illustrations and known simply as the "global small."
Few details for the new model are available, although Mitsubishi has confirmed that it will enter as the brand's new entry-level model, drawing power from a range of 1.0 and 1.2 litre petrol engines.
The "global small" will be positioned as an entry model in MMC's model lineup, and plans are to export the vehicle from Thailand to markets worldwide as a global strategic vehicle that corresponds to both market needs of emerging countries, and advanced nations, where vehicle downsizing is increasing in order to correspond to energy issues in addition to environmental awareness," a Mitsubishi statement reads.
Whether the new model will replace the Colt as Mitsubishi's entry-level small car in Western markets remains to be seen, although it is possible that it will represent a new light or sub-light offering.
Like the new Micra and the 2011 Ford Fiesta, Mitsubishi's new "global small" will be built at a new plant in Thailand, with a 2012 international debut planned.