1870

• Tsukumo Shokai (later Mitsukawa Shokai) was founded by the Tosa Clan, positioning Yataro Iwasaki as the manager.

1873

• Yataro Iwasaki changed the company’s name from Mitsukawa Shokai to Mitsubishi Shokai, and became the company’s president.

1875

• Mitsubishi Shokai changed its name to Mitsubishi Kisen Kaisha.

• Mitsubishi Kisen Kaisha changed its name to Yubin Kisen Mitsubishi Kaisha.

1885

• Yanosuke Iwasaki founded Mitsubishi Sha (later Mitsubishi Goshi Kaisha), and became the company’s president.

1893

• Hisaya Iwasaki became president of Mitsubishi Goshi Kaisha.

1914

• Mitsubishi registered its trademark (the three-diamond symbol).

1916

• Koyata Iwasaki became president of Mitsubishi Goshi Kaisha.

1917

• The Shipbuilding Division of Mitsubishi Goshi Kaisha becomes the independent company Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.(later Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.)

1920

• Mitsubishi Internal Combustion Engine Mfg. Co., Ltd. established Nagoya Plant.

1943

• Mizushima Aircraft Plant (currently Mizushima Plant) established by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

1944

• Kyoto Kiki Seisakusho (currently Kyoto Plant - Kyoto) established by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

1949

• Established a truck and bus distributor, Fuso Motors Sales Co., Ltd.

1950

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. split into 3 companies.

1952

• Companies including the three Mitsubishi Heavy Industries companies moved their headquarters to Marunouchi in Chiyoda City, and began to use Mitsubishi’s corporate name and its three-diamond symbol again.

1954

• Established Ryowa Motor Sales Company (later Shin Mitsubishi Motor Sales Company) as a distributor for domestically manufactured jeeps.

1962

• Okazaki Test Course completed at Nagoya Plant.

1964

• The three Mitsubishi Heavy Industries companies merged to form the new Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

• Established Mitsubishi Motor Sales Company.

1965

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. acquired shares in UDMI of Thailand.

1966

• Dealers nationwide were crowned with the title of “Mitsubishi Motor Sales” in their corporate names.

1967

• Production of jeeps fully outsourced to Toyo Koki Co., Ltd. (currently Pajero Manufacturing Co., Ltd.)

1968

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. completed the construction of the main building of Mitsubishi Kyoto Hospital.

1969

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. set up the division for its automobile business.

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. moved the division for its automobile business to Shiba, Minato City.

• Launched the production of 4G3 model (Saturn Engine).

• Automotive research and development center was set up in Nagoya plant.

• The soccer team of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. won the Japan Soccer League for the first time.

1970

• Mitsubishi Motors Corporation was founded.

• Concluded an agreement with CMC to provide assistance on enhancing domestic production in Taiwan.

• 100th anniversary of Mitsubishi Group.

1971

• 10 Minica Van EVs were delivered to Tokyo Electric Power Company.

• Launched the production of 4G4 model (Neptune Engine).

• Entered into equity alliance with Chrysler.

1972

• The soccer team of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. won the Emperor’s Cup JFA Japan Football Championship for the first time.

• Kyoto Plant Rugby Team won the 24th Japan Company Rugby Football Championship for the first time.

• Mitsubishi Rented Car Corporation (later Mitsubishi Auto Leasing Corporation) was founded.

• Acquired shares in CPC of the Philippines.

• Kawasaki Baseball Team entered the 43rd Intercity Baseball Tournament and came second.

• Launched the production of 4G5 model (Astron Engine).

1973

• Founded ATC in the Philippines.

• Founded MKM in Indonesia.

• Concluded an agreement to provide technical assistance for the 4G36 model engine to Hyundai Motor Company.

• Acquired shares in SMC of Thailand.

1975

• Established　Meiko Motor Pool in Nagoya port　in Aichi Prefecture.

1976

• The “silent shaft” system won the Technological Development Award of the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc.

• Kyoto Plant Rugby Team won again in the 28th Japan Company Rugby Football Championship.

• Began using the MM symbol for the front emblem.

• Introduced the MCA-Jet system engine.

1977

• Launched the production of 4G1 model (Orion Engine).

• Hosted Mitsubishi Galant Tournament.

• Founded Japan Automotive Engineering Co., Ltd.(currently Mitsubishi Automotive Engineering Co.,Ltd.)

• Established Nagoya plant - Okazaki (currently Okazaki Plant - Okazaki).

• Hosted the Mirage Bowl.

1978

• Created 2 channels of domestic distributors.

1979

• The soccer team of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. won three titles for the first time ever.

• Acquired shares in CAL of Australia.

• Established Gamagori Motor Pool in Gamagori port in Aichi Prefecture.

• Launched the production of 4G6 model (Sirius Engine).

• Established Kyoto Plant - Shiga.

1981

• Offered the “silent shaft” technology to Porsche.

• Established Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA) in the US.

1982

• Introduced the variable displacement engine “MD”.

• Began using the MMC symbol for the front emblem.

• Acquired shares in Hyundai Motor Company of South Korea.

1983

• Established PROTON in Malaysia.

1984

• Established Ralliart, Inc.

• Integrated Mitsubishi Motor Sales Company.

1985

• Electronically Controlled Suspension (ECS) won the Technological Development Award of the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc.

• Established the brand message: Ii-machi, Ii-hito, Ii-kuruma (“Great Town, Great People, Great Cars”)

• Established DSM (later Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America Inc., or MMMA) in the US.

• Launched the production of 6G7 model engine.

1986

• Acquired shares in CMC of Taiwan.

1987

• Established PAMCOR (currently MMPC) in the Philippines.

• Electronically controlled power steering “EPS” won the Technological Development Award of the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc.

• Established Suiryo Service Co., Ltd.

• Introduced active electronically controlled suspension, “Active ECS”.

• Mizushima plant achieved production of a cumulative total of 10 million units.

1988

• Established property management companies at each plamts.

• Established Mitsubishi Auto Credit-Lease Corporation.

• Offered the “silent shaft” technology to Volvo.

• Shares listed on First Section of stock exchanges.

1989

• Established Mitsubishi Motors Europe B.V. (MME) in the Netherlands.

• Offered the “silent shaft” technology to SAAB.

• Introduced a flexible hours schedule called “flex time”.

• Conducted the first ever capital increase through public stock offering since being listed.

1990

• Introduced traction control system “TCL”.

• Introduced Mitsubishi intelligent cockpit system “MICS”.

• The soccer team of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (later Urawa Red Diamonds) launched its activities.

• Changed the name of Shinryo Automotive Service Co., Ltd. to Mitsubishi Automotive Techno-Service Co., Ltd.

1991

• Launched the production of 4G9 model engine.

• Introduced the Caregiver Leave System.

• Launched the production of 6A1 model engine.

• Issued unsecured bonds with warrants.

• Changed the name of Daiya Automotive Transportation Co., Ltd. to Mitsubishi Automotive Logistics Co., Ltd.

• Hosted Star Camp.

• Introduced vertical vortex lean-burn engine, “MVV”.

• Established Netherlands Car in the Netherlands.

1992

• Introduced Senior Reemployment System (Senior System).

• Introduced active safety system “INVECS”.

• Introduced variable valve timing engine “MIVEC”.

• Launched the production of 4M4 model diesel engine.

1993

• Established the brand message: Creating Together.

• Developed Libero electric vehicle in collaboration with Tokyo Electric Power Company.

• Established Mitsubishi Motor Sales Europe B.V. (MMSE) in the Netherlands.

• Set up Automobile Information Service for Children.

1994

• Achieved post-war production of a cumulative total of 25 million units of four-wheeled vehicles.

• Achieved production of a cumulative total of 25 million engines.

• Published an environmental brochure titled Soshite Ashita E (“Toward the Future”).

• Introduced automatic transmission “INVECS-II”.

• A female employee of DSM in the US (later MMMA) filed a lawsuit against the company for sexual harassment.

1995

• Manufactured a prototype of hybrid electric vehicle, and conducted tests in collaboration with California Air Resources Board.

• Introduced cylinder gasoline direct injection engine (GDI).

• All four of the company’s teams entered the 22nd Japan Amateur Baseball Championship, Kawasaki Baseball Team won the title for the first time, and Kyoto Baseball Team came second.

• Developed an advanced safety vehicle “Mitsubishi ASV”.

1996

• Established MRDA in the US.

• Established Tama Design Center.

• Introduced active yaw control system “AYC”.

• Introduced active stability control system “ASC”.

• Established Tokachi Proving Ground.

1997

• Established Shenyang Aerospace Mitsubishi Motors Engine Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in China.

• Payoffs to sokaiya corporate racketeers by the company’s executives were revealed.

1998

• Established the brand message: Ii-mono Nagaku (“Good Products that Last”).

• Released mid-term business plan “RM 2001 (Renewal Mitsubishi 2001)”.

• Introduced a driving assistance system “Mitsubishi Driver Support System”.

• Nagoya, Kyoto, and Mizushima Plants acquired ISO 14001 certification.

1999

• Introduced direct injection diesel engine (DI Diesel).

• Issued Environmental Report (currently Sustainability Report).

• Entered into equity alliance with Volvo.

• Officially certified in the Guinness World Records for a 2,000km drive in 24 hours by its electric vehicle.

• Released mid-term business plan “Heart-Beat 21”.

2000

• Established the brand message: Heart-Beat Motors, Mitsubishi Motors.

• Entered agreement for equity alliance with DaimlerChrysler.

• Entered agreement for equity alliance with DaimlerChrysler.

• Established Mitsubishi FUSO Truck & Bus Company as an in-house company.

• Quality issues revealed through spot inspection by the Ministry of Transport (currently Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism).

• Kawasaki Baseball Team entered the 71st Intercity Baseball Tournament and won the title for the first time.

• Partnered with Volvo for the establishment of a new truck & bus company.

• Set up “Quality Matters Advisory Committee” and “Employee Consultation Office”.

2001

• Released a new business vision “Mitsubishi Motors Turnaround Plan”.

• Okazaki Baseball Team entered the 72nd Intercity Baseball Tournament and came second.

• Eclipse EV successfully completed the public test run, “Shikoku EV Rally”.

• Entered agreement with JATCO TransTechnology Ltd. (currently JATCO Ltd.) to integrate AT and CVT operations.

2002

• Fatal accident occurred due to a front tire that came off a Mitsubishi heavy-duty truck.

• Released mid-term environment initiative program “Mitsubishi Motors Environmental Sustainability Plan”.

• Established MMC Estec Co., Ltd.

• Integrated the 2 channels of domestic distributors.

• Fatal accident occurred due to damage in the clutch housing of the a Mitsubishi heavy-duty truck.

• Mitsubishi Motors merged Mitsubishi Motors Europe B.V. (MME) with Mitsubishi Motor Sales Europe B.V. (MMSE).

2003

• Established Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation by separating the truck & bus division of Mitsubishi Motors.

• Mitsubishi Motors merged Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America Inc. (MMMA) with Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America, Inc. (MMSA).

• Moved the headquarters to Konan, Minato City.

• Established a new paint line at Mizushima Plant.

• Concluded an agreement for OEM supply of light commercial vehicles with Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

• Changed the company name of MSC to MMTh.

2004

• Sold a 22% stake in Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation to DaimlerChrysler.

2005

• Released mid-term business plan “Mitsubishi Motors Revitalization Plan”.

• Set up Business Revitalization Monitoring Committee.

• Launched the production of 4B1 model engine.

• The company filed a lawsuit against a former board member for the compensation of damages related to quality issues.

• Lancer Evolution MIEV won the title in Shikoku EV Rally.

• Established the brand message: Kuruma Zukuri no Genten E. (“Pursuing the Origins of Car Engineering”)

• Announced the development of next generation electric vehicles.

• Announced that the company suspended its official participation in World Rally Championship.

2006

• Established Lingfa Car Technical Consulting (Shanghai) Ltd. in China.

• Launched the production of 6B3 model engine.

• Announced Environment Initiative Program 2010.

• Acquired shares in South East (Fujian) Motor Co., Ltd. of China.

• Started “Pajero Forest & Local Mountain Restoration Initiative”.

• Attended KidZania Tokyo as an exhibitor.

• Urawa Red Diamonds won the J-League for the first time.

2007

• Separated Mitsubishi Auto Credit-Lease Corporation into two companies.

• Moved the headquarters to Shiba, Minato City.

• Started experiments with a power company to evaluate the performance of electric vehicle “i-MiEV”.

• Established MMC Wing Co., Ltd.

• Integrated the 29 affiliated domestic distributors into 5 companies.

• Established Mitsubishi Automotive Logistics Technology Co., Ltd.

• Introduced automatic manual transmission “Twin Clutch SST”.

• Introduced integrated vehicle dynamics control system “S-AWC”.

• Established Lithium Energy Japan.

2008

• Released mid-term business plan “Step Up 2010”.

• Announced the closure of the vehicle assembly plant of Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL).

• Established the brand message: Drive@earth.

2009

• Established Mitsubishi Motor Sales (China) Co., Ltd. in China.

• Announced that the company stopped its official participation in Dakar Rally.

• Attended KidZania Koshien as an exhibitor.

• Announced “Mitsubishi Motors Group Environmental Vision 2020”.

• Concluded an agreement to supply OEM electric vehicle “i-MiEV” to PSA.

• Established Kansai Electric Vehicles Association.

2010

• Established CHAdeMO Association.

• Established a vehicle assembly plant in collaboration with PSA in Russia.

• Participated in the “next generation EV” project.

• Launched the sale of electric vehicle “i-MiEV” through home appliance retailers and online shopping.

2011

• Released mid-term business plan “Jump 2013”

• Started verification tests of secondary use business model for lithium-ion batteries.

• Established NMKV Co., Ltd.

• Introduced an idling-stop function “Auto Stop & Go (AS&G)”

• Participated in the support initiatives of the Great East Japan Earthquake recovery support project “Yui”.

2012

• Established a new paint line at Nagoya Plant.

• Launched the sale of 1500W power supply unit “MiEV power BOX”.

• Established a new EV Research & Development Center.

• Introduced a preventative safety technology “e-Assist”.

• Established GAC Mitsubishi Motors Co., LTD. (GMMC) in China.

• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism conducted spot inspection at the company following leaking engine oil trouble in Kei-cars.

2013

• Supported the Michinoku Future Fund, a scholarship fund for the orphans of earthquake disaster.

• Released mid-term business plan “New Stage 2016”.

2014

• Cancelled preferred shares.

• Sponsored the Great Forest Wall Project, a tree planting volunteer initiative.

• Established Nippon Charge Service LLC (NCS).

• Nagoya Plant achieved production of a cumulative total of 5 million units.

2015

• Established MMKI in Indonesia.

• Installed 1,162 chargers for electric vehicles at each business site and facility.

• Started offering the services of “Mitsubishi Motors Electric Vehicle Support”.

• MMTh opened the first ever test course outside Japan.

2016

• Misconduct in fuel efficiency testing revealed.

• Set up Special Investigation Committee in connection with the acquisition issues of certification of conformity.

• Changed the name of Nagoya Plant to Okazaki Plant.

• Opened Dendo Drive Station.

• Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. acquired a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors.

2017

• Received order for action and for payment of surcharge in accordance with the Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations.

• Introduced the Matching Gift Program for in-house donations.

• Opened a day-care center for employees at Okazaki Plant.

• Established MMKSI in Indonesia.

• Announced Alliance 2022.

• Released mid-term business plan “DRIVE FOR GROWTH”.

• Started conducting tests in Europe to verify power grid stabilization (V2G).

• Established the brand message: Drive your Ambition.

2018

• Established MMFS in the Netherlands.

• Opened a “Training Room to Learn from Mistakes” at Okazaki Plant.

• Violation of the act on regulation of technical training revealed.

• MMTh achieved production of a cumulative total of 5 million units.

• Started conducting tests in Japan to verify power grid stabilization (V2G).

• Started adopting the new store design at distributors worldwide.

• The then-chairman of the board of directors was arrested on suspicion of violating the Companies Act.

2019

• Moved the headquarters to Shibaura, Minato City.

• Announced the results of the internal investigation regarding the misconduct of the former chairman of the board of directors.

• Opened a day-care center for employees at the headquarters.

• Transitioned to a company with three committees.

2020

• Concluded a disaster cooperation agreement with Minato City for the first time in Tokyo.