Which Manufacturer do you want back in WRC?

[GTV0819]

That had a very solid following here in the US, which really had little to do with Rally.

They had a great reputation for making cars that stood apart from their competition.

In the 90's, you couldn't throw a rock without hitting at least 3 Eclipses.

Have a look at this long term trend on unit volume and market share here I was able to find. They had respectable market share of nearly 2% at one point, and fell to around half a percent, that's not sustainable.


Mitsubishi
All Models
Market
Share
2016 96.267 0,55%
2015 95.342 0,55%
2014 77.643 0,47%
2013 62.227 0,40%
2012 57.790 0,40%
2011 79.020 0,62%
2010 55.683 0,48%
2009 53.986 0,52%
2008 97.257 0,73%
2007 128.993 0,80%
2006 118.558 0,72%
2005 123.995 0,73%
2004 161.609 0,96%
2003 256.810 1,54%
2002 345.915 2,10%
2001 323.706 1,90%
2000 316.496 1,80%
1999 263.464 1,60%
1998 192.785 1,20%
1997 190.978 1,30%
1996 187.126 1,20%
1995 198.059 1,25%
1994 201.004 1,51%
1993 168.202 1,29%
1992 155.580 1,31%
1991 190.801 1,54%
1990 191.017 1,50%
1989 150.476 1,13%
1988 113.492 0,71%


At some point, they got lazy with model development, scaled back their marketing efforts, and fell into the trap of matching their competition rather than standing apart.

That's what killed Mitsubishi.

Making a bump into this thread.

Pretty much this one and the brand never became the same once again. No doubt they're starting to axe off their rally-competing vehicles, namely the Lancer Evolution and Pajero, two nameplates that have established the brand's reputation when it was still in its own prime.

Now, they're only focused in making hybrid and civilian vehicles, which is nothing to be excited about unlike before.

 

[mustafur]

The move from Compact to Subcompact vehicles was a Stupid idea,
Subaru can't even enter as it stands right now because they don't even have a suitable car.

 

[GTV0819]

The move from Compact to Subcompact vehicles was a Stupid idea,
Subaru can't even enter as it stands right now because they don't even have a suitable car.

Somehow, this reminds me of Suzuki's decision to make the fourth-generation Vitara more smaller than the model that it replaces. And it saddens me to think of it.