Japon
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi traces its origins to a maritime shipping company founded in 1870 by Iwasaki Yataro, in Japan, under the name Tsukumo Shokai, renamed Mitsubishi Shokai in 1873. The name combines "mitsu" (three) and "hishi" (rhombus or water chestnut), the origin of the famous three-diamond emblem. The conglomerate quickly diversified: shipbuilding, banking, insurance, and later heavy industry, aerospace, and machinery. The first automobile, the Mitsubishi Model-A, appeared as early as 1917, but production remained marginal for decades. After the Second World War, the zaibatsu were dismantled by the occupation forces; the successor companies nonetheless continued to share the brand and the logo. It was only on April 22, 1970, that Mitsubishi Motors Corporation was established as a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, under the leadership of engineer Tomio Kubo, who came from the aerospace division. The manufacturer gained worldwide recognition thanks to its all-wheel-drive models and its rally success, notably with the Lancer Evolution and the Pajero. In North America, Mitsubishi established itself in the 1980s, notably through the Diamond-Star Motors joint venture with Chrysler, in Normal, Illinois, where production ended in 2015-2016. Ownership of the company changed decisively in October 2016, when Nissan acquired a stake of approximately 34% following a scandal related to fuel consumption data. Mitsubishi Motors then joined the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, a strategic Franco-Japanese partnership based on cross-shareholdings rather than a merger. Today, the head office is located in Minato, Tokyo. The brand has repositioned itself around SUVs and plug-in hybrid powertrains, while maintaining a commercial presence in the United States and Canada, where it distributes its imported vehicles.
ActivePerformanceÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitairePopulairesJaponaises
History
History of Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi traces its origins to a maritime shipping company founded in 1870 by Iwasaki Yataro, in Japan, under the name Tsukumo Shokai, renamed Mitsubishi Shokai in 1873. The name combines "mitsu" (three) and "hishi" (rhombus or water chestnut), the origin of the famous three-diamond emblem. The conglomerate quickly diversified: shipbuilding, banking, insurance, and later heavy industry, aerospace, and machinery. The first automobile, the Mitsubishi Model-A, appeared as early as 1917, but production remained marginal for decades. After the Second World War, the zaibatsu were dismantled by the occupation forces; the successor companies nonetheless continued to share the brand and the logo. It was only on April 22, 1970, that Mitsubishi Motors Corporation was established as a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, under the leadership of engineer Tomio Kubo, who came from the aerospace division. The manufacturer gained worldwide recognition thanks to its all-wheel-drive models and its rally success, notably with the Lancer Evolution and the Pajero. In North America, Mitsubishi established itself in the 1980s, notably through the Diamond-Star Motors joint venture with Chrysler, in Normal, Illinois, where production ended in 2015-2016. Ownership of the company changed decisively in October 2016, when Nissan acquired a stake of approximately 34% following a scandal related to fuel consumption data. Mitsubishi Motors then joined the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, a strategic Franco-Japanese partnership based on cross-shareholdings rather than a merger. Today, the head office is located in Minato, Tokyo. The brand has repositioned itself around SUVs and plug-in hybrid powertrains, while maintaining a commercial presence in the United States and Canada, where it distributes its imported vehicles.
Public founding or origin of Mitsubishi.
Lancer Évolution: launch or first listed period.
Outlander: launch or first listed period.
Pajero/Montero: launch or first listed period.
Triton/L200: launch or first listed period.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Mitsubishi built its reputation in all-wheel drive with its S-AWC (Super All-Wheel Control) system, which integrates active yaw control (AYC) and distributes torque and braking among the four wheels for superior traction on slippery surfaces. The brand pioneered the mainstream plug-in hybrid with the Outlander PHEV, whose fourth generation is built on the CMF-CD platform shared with Nissan within the Alliance. Its current powertrains combine Atkinson-cycle gasoline engines, turbocharged units, and plug-in hybrid drivetrains offering electric range that is genuinely useful in everyday driving. On the safety side, the Mitsubishi Connect system and driver-assistance features (emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring) equip recent models. Historically, the turbocharged 4G63 engine was at the heart of its performance heritage. The Evo I through IX used the 2.0 L 4G63T turbo with a cast-iron block; the Evo X adopted the all-aluminum 4B11T block in 2007. The all-wheel-drive system evolved from a viscous center differential to the active AYC rear differential, then to the active ACD center differential, and finally to the S-AWC system on the Evo X. The fourth generation is built on the Alliance's CMF-CD platform. It offers a naturally aspirated 2.5 L gasoline engine or a plug-in hybrid drivetrain combining an Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder, electric motors, and the S-AWC all-wheel-drive system with multiple driving modes. The Pajero offered, over time, gasoline V6 engines and turbodiesels (including a 2.5 L turbo with intercooler, a first on a 4x4), paired with a transfer-case all-wheel-drive system and low range. Depending on the generation, the construction evolved from a ladder frame to a self-supporting unibody. The Triton/L200 is built on a rugged ladder frame and offers turbodiesel powertrains as well as gasoline engines depending on the market, coupled with manual or automatic transmissions and a selectable 4x4 system with transfer case and low range for off-road use.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
A Japanese manufacturer within the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, specializing in affordable SUVs, all-wheel drive, and plug-in hybrids.
Reputation
Mitsubishi enjoys a reputation for ruggedness and good value for money, without always topping the reliability rankings. In J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study, the brand ranked 16th in 2024 and then slipped in 2025, while Consumer Reports generally places it in the upper-middle tier of mainstream brands. A major asset is the 10-year or 160,000 km powertrain warranty, among the most generous on the market. Resale value varies by model: the Mirage and the Outlander retain a respectable share of their value. Reviews praise the competitive purchase price and the equipment, but sometimes criticize the driving experience and the refinement.
Strengths
Mitsubishi stands out for its extended powertrain warranty, its recognized expertise in S-AWC all-wheel drive, and its lead in plug-in hybrids with the Outlander PHEV. Competitive purchase prices, a good level of standard equipment, and proven ruggedness, inherited from a long history in rallying and off-roading, round out its strengths. The brand effectively targets pragmatic buyers.
Points to watch
Mitsubishi's North American lineup is limited and aging, with some models lagging behind the competition in terms of refinement, driving experience, and infotainment technology. Reliability rankings remain uneven, and the resale value of several models stays modest. The dealer network is less dense than that of the major mainstream brands, which can make servicing more difficult.
Models
Mitsubishi models
Current or active models by market
Notable past models
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
Mitsubishi Motors produces most of its vehicles in Japan, notably in Mizushima and Okazaki, as well as in plants in Thailand (a hub for utility vehicles such as the Triton/L200) and elsewhere in Asia. In North America, the brand long assembled models at the Normal, Illinois plant, which came out of the Diamond-Star Motors joint venture with Chrysler; production there ceased in 2015-2016. Since then, no Mitsubishi vehicle has been manufactured in the United States, with the models sold in Canada and the United States being imported. The brand is nonetheless considering a return to North American production, possibly through shared-production partnerships with Nissan within the framework of the Alliance.
Tires and wheels
The Mitsubishis sold in Quebec mainly cover compact and subcompact SUVs (Outlander, Eclipse Cross, RVR) fitted with 16- to 20-inch wheels depending on the trim, as well as sedans and the subcompact Mirage on smaller diameters. The most common bolt pattern on recent models is the 5x114.3 mm type, frequent in the segment. Given Quebec's harsh winters, a second set of winter tires mounted on steel wheels (often in a smaller diameter to reduce cost and improve grip) is strongly recommended, particularly to take full advantage of S-AWC all-wheel drive. Always verify the exact dimensions on the vehicle's placard.