Category: Mitsubishi News
More Mitsubishi Dealerships Expand The Local Footprint
Posted by Group1 Mitsubishi on 20 May 2022
Mitsubishi dealers are growing in numbers
Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA) has had a busy few years albeit somewhat under the radar. In addition to a few new vehicle launches, they are now expanding their local footprint by opening more Mitsubishi dealerships. This comes on the back of a highly successful 2021 with noticeable growth in sales. They saw an increase of 47.5% compared to the same period in 2019 and 71.5% more than in 2020. “Last year will be remembered as one of recovery and consolidation for the local automotive industry,” said Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA).
New Mitsubishi Dealerships Mean Increased Market Share
The addition of 6 new Mitsubishi dealerships is indicative of MMSA bucking the trend and increasing its overall market share as a result. That takes the total number of Mitsubishi dealerships to 101 with 48 sales dealers and 53 aftersales dealers across the country.
According to Nic Campbell, the general manager at MMSA, “With the introduction of the Xpander, Mitsubishi is now competing in a completely different price range and segment than before. As such, our sales volumes have been positively impacted. It also speaks to MMSA’s customer-first focus of bringing out the right product for the market at the right time, with a competitive value proposition.”
The new Mitsubishi dealerships are a continuation of the brand’s approach to the strategic placement of such facilities to capitalise further on the ever-growing popularity of the Mitsubishi brand. Steven Terblans, the general aftersales manager added:“It goes hand in hand with our targeted new model strategy and aims to continue bringing new customers into the Mitsubishi fold. A brand is only as strong as its dealer network, and Mitsubishi is fortunate enough to currently find itself on a very firm footing indeed.”
Flaunting A New Corporate Identity
The new Mitsubishi dealerships all showcase the automaker’s refreshed corporate identity, which they introduced in South Africa in April 2021. Jeff Allison, Marketing Manager at MMSA said: “These facilities communicate our vision, purpose, values, cultures and behaviour by using images, styles, colours and themes that represent the brand. We wanted to create spaces that are attractive and inviting, allowing customers to interact with our products in environments that appeal to the senses.”
Mitsubishi Dealerships Providing Exceptional Customer Service
The results of the latest National Automobile Dealers’ Association dealer satisfaction index survey clearly reflect the commitment of MMSA’s dealer network. Their dealerships not only achieved gold status but they were also recognised as the most improved overall brand in 2021 (+10.6%).
According to the data, Mitsubishi’s customer service index results improved from 91.5% in 2017. Between then and the end of 2021, it jumped to 95.42%, which is well above the preset target of 93.5%. A big contributor to this incredible performance is the introduction of Mitsubishi’s ‘fix right first-time’ strategy. It seems to be one of the most crucial factors in their overall service experience.
Terblans continued by saying: “We want to ensure that the customer experience is aligned with the expectations of our loyal customer base. Expectations change and evolve, and so do we, and for this reason, we are continuously improving and embracing change. Our aim is to create lifetime customer loyalty and the only way to boost our retention rate is to provide excellent service.”
Over and above the new Mitsubishi dealerships creating some excitement around the brand, more is to come in 2022. It looks like MMSA has plans to expand or upgrade most of its existing model ranges. Among the headlines is the introduction of the all-new Mitsubishi Outlander in the second half of 2022. For more up to date news from the motoring world, please read our blog or visit the website to see the latest and greatest vehicles at Group1 Mitsubishi dealerships.
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A Double Cab Bakkie Under R500K – Mitsubishi Triton GL
Posted by Group1 Mitsubishi on 20 Apr 2022
The Mitsubishi Triton GL double cab bakkie
The Mitsubishi Triton lives in the high end of the market in terms of what it offers, but its pricing has always been aggressively affordable. Now Mitsubishi has thrown down a very serious gauntlet with the GL M/T 4×2 priced R115K lower than the next trim level.
This new Triton seems to be aimed at fleet owners, SMEs and those looking for a double cab lifestyle at a very good price.
We all know features add to the price, especially in the double cab space. Mitsubishi did some careful cutting to reach this exceptional price, but the GL is by no means a box on wheels.
The most noticeable difference is the engine. While still the familiar 2.4-litre intercooled turbo-diesel, it produces 100kW and 324 Nm versus the 133 kW and 430 Nm of the more expensive models. Power is transmitted via a six-speed manual through a limited-slip differential to the rear wheels.
You get a touchscreen sound system that can be upgraded to Apple/Android connectivity, electric windows and side mirrors. You also get auto air conditioning.
The standard leather upholstery has been replaced with quite good looking dark grey fabric. There is a centre armrest with a cup holder, a four-spoke urethane steering wheel, a USB port and a 12v accessory socket. The GL rides on 16-inch alloy wheels.
On the safety side, it is also full service, with front airbags, ABS, EBD and brake override system, DRL lamp on the bumper and ISOFIX child seat anchors in the back.
Like all Triton models, the GL comes with a 3-year/100 000km warranty and a 5-year/90 000km service plan.
Priced at well under R500K, starting at only R480 995, the GL fills a very prominent gap in the demanding double cab market. If you can live with fabric upholstery and rear-wheel drive only, the GL offers you the ride and build quality of a Mitsubishi Triton at a great price. We suspect the compelling combination of price and features will attract smaller businesses and a large chunk of lifestyle buyers who up to now had to settle for less appealing options.
Why not book a test drive of the new Mitsubishi GL M/T 4×2 and see if this brand new package hits your motoring sweet spot?
The post A Double Cab Bakkie Under R500K – Mitsubishi Triton GL appeared first on Group1 Mitsubishi Blog.
A More Affordable Trim Level For The Mitsubishi ASX
Posted by Group1 Mitsubishi on 18 Feb 2022
The Mitsubishi ASX SUV
The Mitsubishi ASX is the compact member of the extended Mitsubishi SUV range. It has been with us since 2011 and over that time has seen numerous upgrades and range shuffles that have kept it fresh and appealing in this most competitive segment of the South African market. The ASX is primarily an urban family vehicle, but it can take care of itself on dirt roads.
Entry into the ASX range has now become more affordable with the introduction of the new ES trim level. The ES has fewer features but the ASX gives away a whopping R50K on the top-range LS models.
The most obvious feature differences are the glass roof on the LS, manual instead of auto aircon, and the omission of Apple/Android infotainment system, although that is an optional extra.
As for the rest, the Mitsubishi ASX ES is a pretty feature-rich car and will give most discerning drivers an excellent drive. While saving R50K, you still get daytime running lights, a multi-function steering wheel with cruise control, rear parking distance and camera, 16” alloy wheels, electronic traction control and hill start assist. You also get LED brake lights, LED taillights, LED reverse lights and a rear spoiler with a high-mounted stop lamp.
Mitsubishi has also not cut back on safety, with the ES giving you the get driver, passenger and knee airbags, collapsable steering column, the standard reinforced impact safety body, side-impact bars, active stability and traction control, ISOFIX child seat anchors, ABS and EBD, as well as the brake assist system. The keyless operating system opens the car within 70cm of the car and once inside, you can start the car with a button.
As with the other ASX models, the ES comes with a three-year/100 000km warranty and a three-year 60 000km service plan, with intervals at 15 000km.
The engine is also the same, the 2.0L MIVEC that gives you 110kW at 6000rpm and 197Nm at 4200rpm through the front wheels. You have a choice of the 5-speed manual or CVT transmission, the former giving you a braked towing capacity of 1260kg and CVT 750kg.
The ASX has been the most successful Mitsubishi model in South Africa, selling more than 9 300 cars since its launch in 2011. With this new model, offering a compelling price/feature balance, the ES is sure to add to the records set by the ASX so far.
You can have a look at the full range of Mitsubishi ASX SUVs available in South Africa.
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Electric Cars Need Not Be Boring – Enter Mitsubishi Outlander
Posted by Group1 Mitsubishi on 19 Nov 2021
The NEW Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
We all know electric and hybrid and hydrogen will be the drivers of our future cars. The costs of renewables are plummeting, while the ease of using them is improving rapidly, and in the background, Mother Nature has folded her arms and is tapping one foot in an increasingly menacing way. So we are all doomed to drive things that look like the Prius in future? Actually, no. Have a look at this if you think future motoring is going to be quiet and well behaved and really boring.
It is a race open to women only, with only compasses, maps and so allowed for navigation. A gruelling 2000km of rough desert from Nevada to California. So two women, a Sergeant Major and a Master Sargent in the US military entered the challenging challenge in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – an SUV, plug-in hybrid. Their vehicle was modified, but the standard Outlander has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder and two electric motors that together give you 142kW and 186Nm of torque.
And they came third. How boring is that in the greater scheme of things? Sure, they were allowed time to charge their batteries, but that does not detract from their ability. The sheer motoring grunt required to get a podium finish against “normal” cars shines a bright light on the electrified cars of the future.
Topline EVs will demolish everything, including superbikes, on a standing quarter mile. In the States, hybrid and full EV Ford F250s will power your house or business if weather knocks out the power. In China and India cheap EVs are helping fight the scourge of air pollution while transporting entire families and selected domestic and agricultural livestock over great distances.
Vehicles electrified in some way or the other will be the shape of our motoring future. Like all internal combustion cars of today, they will come in a range, from cheap and nasty to really wow. The Outlander has just shown how wow wow can be.
But most of us will never enter a rally and will demand that our car does what we want it to do as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. And that, dear readers, describes the Mitsubishi Outlander in a nutshell.
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