Your favorite Off-roader – Mitsubishi Pajero just got better. Japanese car-maker, Mitsubishi Motors corporation has recently announced that the company shall introduce an automatic version of its popular SUV. The car rechristened as 'Pajero Sport' shall be available in India through Mitsubishi's technical collaboration with Hindustan Motors Ltd. The SUV that has won the 2012 'Off-roader of the year award' from BBC Top Gear, shall definitely receive a warm welcome on local soils.
The current India bound model of Pajero is housed with a 2.5 litre, four pot, diesel mill which comes synchronized with a five speed manual gearbox. Mitsubishi has ample SUVs on offer in the global market, currently around half of the cars in Mitsubishi’s global portfolio comprise of either SUVs or crossovers. The company plans to add more new SUVs and crossovers in the coming time in its global portfolio.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Hindustan Motors Ltd collaboration dates back to the year 1998. Since then, the car-makers have been successful in launching a series of premium cars like Lancer, Cedia, Pajero, Outlander, and Pajero. Mr. Kenichi Horinouchi, Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, said, “Sales increase of SUVs in partnership with Hindustan Motors will boost the business fundamentals of our operations in India. Volumes will grow through launch of strategic models.” The automatic version of Pajero Sport shall be manufactured at Hindustan Motors’ state-of-the-art plant at Tiruvallur near Chennai.
Speaking more on the occasion, Mr. Uttam Bose, Managing Director of Hindustan Motors, said , “Mitsubishi brands, especially Pajero, evoke a sentimental response from Indian citizens. Pajero Sport’s unmatched ability to offer a rare blend of comfort and adventure has won the heart of customers. The customer’s needs occupy paramount position in Hindustan Motor’s customer-centric business ethos. HM and Mitsubishi have executed several measures over the years to boost our service levels and meet customer expectations and aspirations. I foresee brighter days ahead for our time-tested alliance.”
Mr. Kenichi Horinouchi, Executive Officer, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, made an official release stating plans for the launch of automatic Pajero post the 'New Stage 2016' event meant to ellaborate on Mitsubishi's global mid-term business plan for FY 2014 - FY 2016. Horinouchi also stated a possibility of other vehicles being launched post launch of the automatic Pajero Sport by Mitsubishi.
A source close to the development revealed that the company is focusing on exponential markets like India where they contemplate to bring more SUVs. Buzz has it that Mitsubishi might pluck two SUVs from its global bouquet for the Indian auto industry and launch them by 2016.
