The End: Last Mitsubishi 380 Built - Now Supercharged TMR380 Goes Into Production!

[JoeT]

TMR380 Lives: Mitsubishi's Big Car's Last Gasp

Joe Kenwright
3 June 2008
www.carpoint.com.au

Against the odds, just 20 of the TMR 380 are being built...

Although Mitsubishi's last 380 left Adelaide's Tonsley Park production line more than a month ago, a special build of the TMR 380 performance variant is currently underway.

The TMR 380 was first shown at the 2006 Sydney International Motor Show. The limited production run is due for completion at the end of June, with the donor 380 VRXs currently receiving their hand-crafted mechanical and body enhancements at Alan Heaphy's Team Mitsubishi Ralliart (TMR) workshop in outer Melbourne.

According to Heaphy, 14 will head into private collections while three have been purchased for every day use. Just three are still available for sale at $56,990.

The TMR 380 will stand as Mitsubishi Australia's most radical road car, a record that can never be upstaged, now that local production has ended.

Even as far as global front drive sedans go, the TMR 380 is a serious performance car and takes the battle to the TRD Aurion with a more serious edge, thanks to its TMR heritage.

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Last 380 Sells For $100,000

Marton Pettendy
24 April 2008
www.goauto.com.au

A Perth Mitsubishi dealer has paid a staggering $100,000 for the final 380 sedan ever built.

John Hughes Mitsubishi was the winning bidder of the last 380 ever produced, following a dealer auction that will see proceeds of the sale of the landmark vehicle go to charity.

More than 100 representatives from Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited and its 200-outlet national dealer network attended the auction either in person, via telephone or via the internet, including MMAL chief executive officer and president Robert McEniry, who officiated at the event.

“There has been tremendous interest in the fate of the last 380, and this is a fitting result for such a fantastic and well built car,” said Mr McEniry.

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Final Goodbye To The Mitsubishi 380

Australian Car Advice
27 March 2008
www.caradvice.com.au

It is the end of an era, with the final Mitsubishi 380 sedan rolling off the production line at the Tonsley Park plant in South Australia.

To shows its thanks to the South Australian community for their support, Mitsubishi has something special planned for the final four vehicles made.

The first has been donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, an iconic Australian service providing healthcare to rural Australian communities.

“The Royal Flying Doctor Service is an iconic Australian institution, based in South Australia, and is responsible for saving thousands of lives throughout the country every year.”

Another will be donated to Vision Australia which brings assistance, education and care to visually impaired people and their families across Australia.

The third has been sent to the National Motor Museum at Birdwood which maintains an extensive array of historical vehicles.

The final - and very last 380 sedan ever made - is set to be sold at dealer auction, with all proceeds to be donated to charity.



Mitsubishi To Build Last Car On Thursday

Tim Dornin
26 March 2008
www.drive.com.au

Mitsubishi will build its last car in Adelaide on Thursday, ahead of the closure of its local assembly operations on Friday.

The company says it has completed a smooth run-out of production for the locally-built 380 sedan at its Tonsley Park facility, in Adelaide's southern suburbs.

The last batch of cars will come down the line on Thursday, bringing an end to the company's 28-year manufacturing history in Australia.

Mitsubishi began building cars in Adelaide in 1980, when it took over the assembly operations from the US car giant Chrysler.

Since then it has produced just over one million vehicles, with output peaking in 1997 when it built 58,391 Magna sedans and wagons for both local and export markets.

About 1,000 workers will lose their jobs with the plant's closure, but unions and the company have negotiated what has been described as the best-ever redundancy package in the automotive industry.

Some leaving on Friday will walk away with up to two years' pay and will also benefit from assistance and support from the state and federal governments to find new work

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Mitsubishi Sunk By Canned LWB Export Car

James Stanford
13 February 2008
www.goauto.com.au

MMAL reveals it needed to build at least 60,000 cars a year to remain viable.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) president Robert McEniry has made the stunning revelation that the company’s soon-to-be-closed Tonsley Park assembly plant would have needed to produce 60,000 vehicles a year to remain viable.

That is double the volume past and present Mitsubishi Australia management quoted as the “break even” figure leading up to, and following, the release of the 380 large sedan in October 2005.

At a press conference last Wednesday, a day after announcing the closure of Tonsley Park next month, GoAuto asked Mr McEniry about the production level MMAL would have needed for the 380 to be profitable.

His response? “About 60,000.”

Questioned further by GoAuto about whether that meant Mitsubishi’s Australian manufacturing operations were doomed from the onset of the 380’s launch, Mr McEniry said the original plan had been to produce 30,000 cars for Australia and 30,000 long-wheelbase models for export.

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Official: Mitsubishi Oz To Close Its Adelaide Factory

Martone Pettendy, Terry Martin & James Stanford
5 February 2008
www.goauto.com.au

Mitsubishi Australia's 380 sedan reaches the end of the road as assembly plant axed.

After years of speculation, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today announced the closure of its Australian subsidiary's Adelaide factory by the end of March, and the loss of at least 930 jobs there, following the failure of its homegrown 380 large sedan to attract enough buyers and company losses of $1.5 billion over the past decade.

The announcement was made at 4.30pm local time via a live media webcast, after Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) president and CEO Rob McEniry broke the news to staff at Tonsley Park.

Mr McEniry cited the decline in large-car sales in Australia, the nation's relatively small market, the need for exports and unfavourable exchange rates as Mitsubishi's decision, which he said was made finally only late this morning, to “pursue a full import strategy”.

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Mitsubishi 380's Demise Opens Door For ZT

James Stanford
11 February 2008
www.goauto.com.au

It's the end of the line for the homegrown 380 sedan - but not for large Mitsubishi's.

A fully imported mid-to-large premium sedan will fill part of the gap left in Mitsubishi Motors Australia's line-up following the axing of its homegrown 380 sedan.

One day after announcing the closure of the Adelaide factory that produced the failed model, MMAL president Robert McEniry confirmed last week that the company would source a partial replacement for Australia.

“The type of car that we would bring back into this segment, you will see at the motor shows will be a totally different kind of car: green, diesel, all-wheel-drive - all that sort of thing,” he said.

There is little doubt Mr McEniry is referring to the Concept-ZT, which was revealed at last year’s Tokyo motor show.

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Mitsubishi Workers Accept Exit Package

Tim Dornin
27 February 2008
www.drive.com.au

Mitsubishi workers have accepted a redundancy package, clearing the way for the car maker's assembly operations in Adelaide to close at the end of March.

In a secret ballot on Wednesday, the company's Tonsley Park staff endorsed the agreement negotiated by the Federation of Vehicle Industry Unions (FVIU), with 71 per cent voting to accept the deal.

It will cost the company an estimated $100 million with some workers eligible for more than two year's pay. FVIU state secretary John Camillo said the mood at the meeting was fairly quiet and relaxed with most there realising it was a good deal.

"They were quite happy, because they know they've got one of the best packages possible in the automotive industry in Australia," Mr Camillo told AAP.

The redundancy package provides the 930 Mitsubishi workers about to lose their jobs with a seven week lump sum payment plus four-and-a-half weeks' pay for every year of service to a maximum of 102 weeks.

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Next-Generation Mitsubishi 380 Preview?

Australian Car Advice
2 Febuary 2008
www.caradvice.com.au

Update: Official images released by Mitsubishi.

These are allegedly leaked images of the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant, which could provide insight into what to expect from the new generation Mitsubishi 380.

The current front end treatment of the Galant is unique to the US market, however the rear is nearly identical with the 380 sedan, indicating potential future design influences.

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Mitsubishi 380: Hanging In The Balance

Neil McDonald
13 November 2007
www.carsguide.com.au

The future of the Mitsubishi 380 should be decided by the end of the year.

The countdown has begun and decisions must be made soon on the mid-life update and upgrade of the 380, and any car that will follow it into production at the Mitsubishi Motors Australia factory in Adelaide.

Company chief Rob McEniry has just been in Japan for an extensive series of meetings, including planning work on the 380, and expects to have the car's future clarified by head office soon.

He is reluctant to talk about a likely replacement for the 380, which is struggling against its big-six rivals the Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon and Toyota Aurion, but admits the car's future will be determined next month or early next year.

“As I said last year, at the end of 2007 Mitsubishi would be going through its normal model cycle and mid-term planning phase and that's when we'd look at replacement or potentials for the 380, and that's exactly where we are,” McEniry says.

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Decision Time

James Stanford
16 October 2007
www.goauto.com.au

The long-term future of Mitsubishi Motors’ Australian manufacturing operations is scheduled to be clarifi ed early next year.

A series of decisions regarding strategic manufacturing plans starting from late this year and stretching into early next year at parent Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Tokyo will shape the future of the Adelaide-based operations.

The plans could see the Australian operation granted the production responsibilities for a 380 large car replacement. But GoAuto has also learnt that Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) would like to build a smaller vehicle.

There is said to be an interest in a crossover wagon to act as a bridge between the Outlander and the Lancer.

GoAuto understands the potential vehicles that MMAL will be discussing at the upcoming Tokyo meetings are not currently in production and are yet to be revealed to the public.

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Mitsubishi: Slick ZT Won't Replace 380

Byron Mathioudakis
17 September 2007
www.goauto.com.au

Mitsubishi has hosed down speculation that the Concept-ZT will automatically be the replacement for the 380 in Australia – from the very top.

Speaking to GoAuto at this week’s Frankfurt motor show, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) president Osamu Masuko refused to acknowledge the role of the Concept-ZT in Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited's future.

“This is only a concept car,” Mr Masuko said through an interpreter.

“We are not thinking about what it will replace.”

Mr Masuko would only reveal that the Concept-ZT points to the direction of a possible medium-sized sedan in Mitsubishi’s near future.

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Mitsubishi Gets A Warning

George Lekakis
11 September 2007
www.carsguide.com.au

An audit has highlighted significant uncertainty about whether Mitsubishi can continue car production in Australia.

The warning is contained in a note by auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers to the latest financial accounts, which have been filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

In the accounts, Mitsubishi's chief executive Robert McEniry acknowledges export sales have been slow and says there have been significant restructuring costs.

The company has survived despite previous auditor warnings and Mr McEniry stressed Mitsubishi planned to continue producing cars in Adelaide.

“Mitsubishi Motors Australia's manufacturing operations are now `right-sized' for moving forward,” he stated.

“The operation is able to maintain low stock levels and meet sales demand, but still has the flexibility necessary to accommodate market shifts.”

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GM, Toyota, Ford & Mitsubishi Reluctant To Further Invest In Australian Car Making
GMI's Mitsubishi Australia News Thread
Supercharged Mitsubishi's 380 TMR Is Dead

The last Mitsubishi 380 produced in Australia

[Aych Es Vee]

I'm still hoping Chrylser will buy it all back
Then we can have a new Valiant to join in on the V8 Supercars

[gardnet1]

If they go out of business, there will be a collective yawn for thier contributions to technology, style and reliability...not!

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by gardnet1

If they go out of business, there will be a collective yawn for thier contributions to technology, style and reliability...not!

Sad, but true. They've always been followers....and IMO have pinned too much of their hopes (in the US at least) on the Eclipse and EVO X. Things though would change I think (if only a lil bit) if they would actually inject some money and effort into their marketting arm and start seriously advertising their products.

[paul8488]

Is Mitsubishi still available in Canada? I remember they came in with a bit of a whimper a few years back, but I don't know if they stuck around or not. The Galant is a nice looking car, but I guess it takes more than a handsome face to make it in life. I mean I manage, but I guess it's different when it comes to cars...

[Bravada]

Let's see... The creators of Pajero, Lancer EVO and pioneers of direct injection... No contributions at all...

Like Fiat, Mitsu is a company coming back from almost literally dead - not long ago, they looked bound to declare bankruptcy any day, and now they are coming back with a slew of surprisingly good models - Lancer, Outlander, Grandis... But no wonder they are cash-strapped and don't do enough as far as marketing is concerned...

Mitsubishi Australia put itself out of competition by making the tired Magna and Verada (Diamante for the rest of the world) for far too long and then replacing them with what is essentially a midsize car. I am now seeing they readjusted the prices to reflect the car's actual value. I guess they could boost their results by starting the assembly of another model (much like Ford OZ) - I guess the Outlander and Grandis share a good part of Galant's underpinnings...

[Richard1098]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Mitsubishi Australia put itself out of competition by making the tired Magna and Verada (Diamante for the rest of the world) for far too long and then replacing them with what is essentially a midsize car. I am now seeing they readjusted the prices to reflect the car's actual value. I guess they could boost their results by starting the assembly of another model (much like Ford OZ) - I guess the Outlander and Grandis share a good part of Galant's underpinnings...

True, but that really was a result of the hole that Misubishi dug for itself globally. Mitsubishi Aus had to either design a unique platform for its own use, which wasn't going to happen due to Mitsubishi's global near death experience, or wait until a "good enough" global platform was developed to leverage off. With Misubishi walking away from the full size market in Japan, it meant that the NA Galant was all that was available.

[Bravada]

PS. American automakers are not the only ones keeping the nicer things overseas:

Global Mitsubishi Galant/380:




China Motor Corp's (Mitsu's Taiwanese subsidiary/partner) Mitsubishi Galant Grunder:

[hotrod1949]

Originally Posted by paul8488

Is Mitsubishi still available in Canada? I remember they came in with a bit of a whimper a few years back, but I don't know if they stuck around or not. The Galant is a nice looking car, but I guess it takes more than a handsome face to make it in life. I mean I manage, but I guess it's different when it comes to cars...

Yes they are, and growing slowly. New Lancers and Outlanders are becoming a common sight, and the Eclipse sells reasonably well.

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by Bravada

PS. American automakers are not the only ones keeping the nicer things overseas:

Global Mitsubishi Galant/380:




China Motor Corp's (Mitsu's Taiwanese subsidiary/partner) Mitsubishi Galant Grunder:

Beauty's in the eye of the beholder, I guess. To me, and if nothing else, the above models explain that if this is the best Mitsubishi can do, it's no wonder they're having the problems they're having. Nothing special about the above.

I wish I could muster sympathy for the company, I wish I could appreciate their varied contributions to the motoring world, but somehow I'm failing horribly to do so.

[Road Kill]

Toyota will probably buy it out and come in like hero's. Maybe the Australians `will like temporary jobs at lowages.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by Bravada

PS. American automakers are not the only ones keeping the nicer things overseas:

Global Mitsubishi Galant/380:




China Motor Corp's (Mitsu's Taiwanese subsidiary/partner) Mitsubishi Galant Grunder:

I see the cure for at least some of Mitsubishi's ills right there......the question is, what rational argument can be made for a bunch of upper-class communists getting the cream of the crop when it comes to autos vs. the rest of us?? Please don't try and tell me it's all either due to 'time' and/or 'money' either......

[gardnet1]

This will create an opportunity for Ford, GM Holden, Mazda and toyoduh to grab more market share and become more profitable in a small potato market that is mostly make or break on exports.

[eaton53]

They should've never stopped making reliable Land Rover knockoffs.

[nota]

Originally Posted by gardnet1

If they go out of business, there will be a collective yawn for thier contributions to technology, style and reliability...not!

Seeing as this is an Australian accented topic I should point out that Mitsubishi Aus-built vehicles preceded Commodore & Falcon by years in equipping with V6 engines, OHC engines, 4-speed autos, 5-speed manuals, 5-speed autos, remote-adjustable shock absorbers and one-piece bodyside manufacture techniques IIRC. Theirs was the only V6 ever cast in Australia (Holden still don't). They also beat them into locally-built FWD and AWD passenger cars, not to mention their US export drive. Probably earlier with EFI and IRS too

Mitsu 380 is usually regarded as being the best built and most reliable product amid all the locally manufactured vehicles from GM, Ford & Toyota, as were later Magnas. And despite its so-called tragic resale the 380 is independantly rated as the cheapest 6cyl car in total ownership costs, of which depreciation is the main component

So regards Australia it's local Mitsubishis that have actually been the innovators, not reluctant followers with typical 'formula' offerings like those traditionally served up by GM-H & Ford etc. Mitsubishis began selling their cars in Oz more than 40 years ago, as was the company's world rally debut in 1967 with those fantastic little Colt Fastbacks. A closure of their plant in South Oz would be a sad event, bringing substantial loss of jobs and is hardly worth gloating over. Yes it is probably inevitable but thats no good reason to kick 'em in the nuts, imho