Tokyo, October 16, 2018 – Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has announced two major milestones in the expansion of its China business. GAC Mitsubishi Motors (GMMC), the joint venture business in China between the MMC, the Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) and Mitsubishi Corporation has begun production of 4B4 and 4J1 engines, and also held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Research and Development Center which will be completed in 2020.
The new engine plant has an annual production capacity of 200,000 units (standard operating base). It will produce the new 1.5L direct-injection turbocharged gasoline engine (4B4 engine) with high environmental performance which will be fitted to the Eclipse Cross SUV. In addition, the plant will make the 4J1 engine for the locally-produced Outlander SUV.
Producing the engines locally will enhance cost competitiveness and further strengthen market position in the world's largest automotive market. In addition to increasing employment at the new factory, the production will result in more jobs in the supply chain.
Mitsubishi Motors will launch the Eclipse Cross on the market this fall to expand its product lineup and strengthen its SUV brand and support the local sales network.
GMMC has also agreed with Changsha City to expand and relocate to a newly established R & D center with a site area of 41 hectares, including a test course. The center will further strengthen GMMC's technological development functions to meet the local market needs for China.
About GAC Mitsubishi Motors (GMMC)
Based in Changsha, Hunan, GMMC was formed as a joint venture company in 2012 between Guangzhou Automobile Group (50% ownership stake), Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (30% ownership stake) and Mitsubishi Corporation (20% ownership stake). GMMC has 4,100 employees, and serves as a sales and distribution platform for GAC and MMC-branded vehicles in China. The company has an annual production capacity over 270,000 units per year between the Mitsubishi Motors ASX and Outlander SUVs, as well as the GAC Eupheme and Eupheme EV GMMC maintains over 300 sales and service locations across China.
About Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is a global automobile company based in Tokyo, Japan, which has a competitive edge in SUVs and pickup trucks, electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The company launched the i-MiEV – the first mass-produced electric vehicle in 2009, which was followed by the OUTLANDER PHEV in 2013 – a plug-in hybrid market leader in Japan and Europe. Mitsubishi Motors has 30,000 employees and a global footprint with production facilities in Japan, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Philippines and Russia. Models, such as the PAJERO SPORT/MONTERO SPORT, TRITON/L200 and OUTLANDER play a major role in achieving its growth. The global sales volume in fiscal year 2017 was 1,101,000 units, and the net sales of Mitsubishi Motors for fiscal year 2017 was 2.19 trillion yen. Mitsubishi Motors is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
