The origin and essence of "Delica"

It has now been 55 years since the birth of the Delica. There are few cars in Japan that have been continuously sold under the same name for more than 50 years. Here, we will look at how Delica has evolved over the years to become a long-time favorite of so many people, and how it has retained its unique character.

The Delica, born in July 1968 during Japan's period of rapid economic growth, was developed as a vehicle that could reliably transport passengers and cargo to their destinations in a variety of road conditions, at a time when many goods were being transported across the country in an effort to enhance social capital. The name "Delica" comes from its use as a "delivery car," and the first generation was a commercial vehicle that took on the important role of transporting goods.

The second generation, launched in 1979, added Japan's first 4WD model as a small cab-over vehicle to the "Delica Star Wagon" passenger vehicle, sparking a boom in outdoor activities.

It was probably from this second generation that the Delica started down its own unique path. Since that era, two days off per week became the norm, and more and more people began enjoying their leisure time, with outdoor activities such as skiing and camping experiencing a boom in popularity. Uehara recalls, "The Delica was a commercial vehicle, but when a wagon version was made available for family trips and outdoor leisure activities, it marked the origin of the Delica's identity and also the start of a distinct Mitsubishi Motors-ness."

What was groundbreaking was the adoption of the 4WD system originally used in the Mitsubishi Jeep, a cross-country 4WD vehicle, and the Forte, a pickup, for a passenger vehicle. At that time, it was rare to find an ordinary passenger vehicle equipped with a full 4WD system. So, why did they decide to use the same features used by professionals in a regular car?

"It was about making sure it was really easy to use as a tool. Even though the tool may be for professional use, if it is difficult to use or requires extra effort, the work will be less efficient. Mitsubishi Motors' manufacturing not only meets the demands of professionals, but also focuses on ease of use. Whether for professional use or not, it was important for ordinary people to be able to use it to the fullest."

Although the 4WD technology of the time was capable of driving over rough roads, the ride was uncomfortable and only professional drivers could handle it. Our company has evolved 4WD technology with an eye to ensuring an pleasant, stress-free drive that everyone can enjoy, which is why we came up with the groundbreaking idea of incorporating 4WD technology into a passenger vehicle.

"The Mitsubishi Group has built social infrastructure on a scale comparable to that of a national government, and has helped to make the world more convenient by bringing cutting-edge technologies from overseas to Japan and implementing them in the private sector. Perhaps that is why it was able to excel at converting professional-use products made for work to general use, making life more enjoyable and enriching. I think such a culture is inherently ingrained in our company as well. There must have been a feeling of not only responding to customers' existing needs, but also proposing a lifestyle, saying, 'If you had a car like this, you could enjoy it in this way.' Otherwise, we would not have been able to create such a unique car in the absence of precedents."

At that time, many cars were rear-wheel drive, and it was amazing how many cars got stuck on snowy mountain roads heading for ski resorts because the rear wheels kept slipping. The Delica and Pajero, which adopted 4WD technology, were greatly appreciated by skiers and campers who often drive on snowy or rough roads, leading to 4WD vehicles becoming popularized as something of great value. It was precisely this that drove the public demand for 4WD vehicles.

In 1986, the third generation, representing the first full redesign in seven years, was unveiled. Featuring a monocoque structure, it was introduced as a more comfortable and convenient vehicle for use in leisure activities.

However, at the time, a ladder frame structure was generally considered to be stronger than a monocoque structure when it came to cars, and apparently, some fans with particular tastes said that the third generation, with this monocoque structure, was not a Delica at all.

"However, once people tried it, they found that the third generation was much more user-friendly, so more and more people began to switch over. We often hear customers say that no other car offers the same kind of experience as a Delica. I believe that the Delica is not simply a vehicle that can be relied on to carry passengers and cargo to their destinations in any road conditions, it is also that rare car that launched a new lifestyle."