Mitsubishi teases future product line-up: New ASX, Delica, Outlander facelift, electric car

Mitsubishi has teased several all-new or refreshed models as it plans to enter new segments over the next five years in North America.

It comes off the back of revised tariffs on Chinese made vehicles and wound back emissions laws in the US, impacting product strategies for car makers operating in the United States.

Branded ‘Momentum 2030’ and presented to Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) dealers earlier this month, the plan targets four key areas: an expanded product line, electrification, a ‘modernised’ retail sales model and the addition of more dealers to its 330-strong network.

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The plan sees two all-new models mooted in “segments in which the company does not currently compete” but does not share further details on them.

However, these vehicles will likely be the next-generation Delica minivan – previewed by the D:X Concept in 2023 – and a larger SUV slotted above the Outlander, which could be a spiritual successor to the Pajero.

Both models are also mooted for an Australian launch.

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A shadowy teaser image released by Mitsubishi overnight appears to show two Outlanders – including a lifted 'Rugged Edition' due in 2025 [↗] – at least three all-new SUVs, an electric car, and the all-new Delica minivan.

The new cars teased for North America will be part of a push to see a “new or completely refreshed” model released each financial year (April 1 through March 31) from 2026 to 2030.

The current MMNA line-up is made up of only four nameplates: Outlander and smaller Outlander Sport (ASX), the Eclipse Cross, and the Mirage hatch and sedan.

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Automotive News reports a new small crossover with a plug-in hybrid option will debut in 2025 to replace the Mirage. It is also likely to succeed the 14-year-old ASX.

“Mitsubishi Motors is at a pivotal point in North America, charting a bold, clear and attainable plan for our future success in the United States," said MMNA president and CEO Mark Chaffin in a company statement.

The brand’s US sales in the first quarter of 2024 were up 35.7 per cent, and while its 2023 result saw an increase of 1.8 per cent, it came against 11.6 per cent total new vehicle market growth.

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The Momentum 2030 plan includes a path to electrification – without further detail – with Mitsubishi previously publicising a global goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 and offer only electric vehicles in its showrooms by 2035.

The only electrified vehicle currently in Mitsubishi US showrooms is the Outlander PHEV.

The Outlander is the car maker’s most popular model in the US, with the plug-in hybrid version contributing to record sales for the nameplate in 2023.

The Outlander made up 49,182 of the brand’s total 87,340 US sales in 2023 – more than half – but with none of its vehicles in the top 25 best sellers.

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That gives MMNA a market share of around 0.6 per cent – compared to Mitsubishi Australia’s 63,511 sales in 2023 for a 5.2 per cent market share.

In Australia, Mitsubishi was the fifth best-selling car brand in April 2024, with the Outlander the ninth most popular vehicle in the country.

Momentum 2030 also included a plan to become “a leader in industry change and evolution” in the retail approach, with plans to update and increase the number of dealerships, entering areas of the US it currently does not have a presence in.

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MMNA said it intends to do this through new retail concepts and offering “greater technology” between the customer and the dealership during the buying and servicing processes as its buyers become younger and increasingly tech savvy.

“Back in 2018, we started to consider our path forward, and that plan brought us a new headquarters location in Tennessee; new vehicle launches that led to record Internet search results, sales records and brand successes; and outstanding dealer partners winning customer satisfaction awards,” Chaffin said.

“Momentum 2030 will build on that, setting the stage for new powertrains and vehicles being introduced, new dealerships being opened, and new technologies being developed to make the shopping and ownership experience faster, easier and more enjoyable.”