100 Years of Mitsubishi

For many of us, we don’t know a world without cars in it. Which is a bit of a crazy thought. My great-grandmother used to tell me about her first ever experience in an electric car. It was all very exciting, as only families with a lot of money were able to afford luxuries like that. Now, car companies like Mitsubishi are household names and vehicles that almost everyone has access to.

Today we’re going to take a walk through the history of Mitsubishi Motors to see where this brand got its start and how it became such a well-known name! There are many things you might not know about the origins of Mitsubishi, and we are hoping to cover a good number of these little-known facts!

Mitsubishi’s automotive origins date back to 1917, y’all! That is 100 years of EXCELLENCE. When the Mitsubishi Model A was first introduced it was the first mass-production passenger car in Japanese history. Next up in innovation of the age, the PX33 was introduced as Japan’s first 4-wheel drive production car in 1936. This vehicle provided the origin of Mitsubishi 4WD technology, which is a huge automotive milestone and is a stable of the brand today.

Then speeding into 1962, the Mitsubishi 500 set a new course record and wins in its class at the Mitsubishi Motors inaugural international motorsports event, the Macau Grand Prix (under 750cc class). Continuing that momentum in 1970 Mitsubishi begins to develop their reputation in America with the launch of the Colt under the Dodge nameplate. Then in 1972 Mitsubishi enters the Colt F2000 Formula race car and wins in a highly competitive Japanese open-wheel Grand Prix. Mitsubishi applies aircraft technology to equip the Colt F2000 with a side radiator and wedge line.

The Galant GTO launches in Japan, featuring the first 4G-series engine and setting the stage for developing the Lancer Evolution. In the 1980s Mitsubishi really stepped up its game. They were the first to engineer a turbocharged diesel engine for passenger cars in Japan. The company also introduced three models to America: the Tredia, Cordia, and Starion. Then in 1989, Motor Trend magazine names the Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Import Car of the Year.  In the 1990s. Mitsubishi kept making waves in the racing world. Then in the early 2000s, they introduced the Lancer Evolution in America and it was named Automobile of Year by Automobile magazine. More and more vehicles were introduced until we got the lineup we know and love today.

If you want to see how far Mitsubishi Motors has come, visit us at Younger Mitsubishi. We can show you the current Mitsubishi lineup, including the all-new 2017 Outlander Sport. Call or visit us today to schedule a test drive!