Where Are Mitsubishi Cars Built? A Mitsubishi Car FAQ

Mitsubishi Motors North America's current product line consists of six cars and SUV models. Manufacturing of these product lines is handled by three manufacturing facilities in Japan, and one facility located in Normal, Illinois.

Japanese Plants
Japanese manufacturing facilities tend to handle the more technologically advanced models, such as the Lancer and Lancer Evolution. Production of these models takes place at the Mizushima Plant in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. Some of the more specialized production is handled at the Car Research and Development center in Okazaki, Aichi, Japan. In addition to the Lancer, production of the Mitsubishi Outlander is also handled by both of these manufacturing plants.

All power train production, including that of the Mitsubishi 4B1, or "World engine," featured in the Lancer models, and the Sirius 4G69 engine is handled solely by the Mitsubishi power train plant in Shiga, Japan.

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U.S. Production

Product lines built on the American developed Mitsubishi PS platform are produced at the Mitsubishi Motors North America production facility in Normal, Illinois. These lines include the Mitsubishi Eclipse, Endeavor SUV, and the Galant Sedan. This facility was formerly known as Diamond Star Motors, and was founded as a 50/50 co-op between Mitsubishi and Chrysler. In 1995 it was renamed the Mitsubishi Motors Manufacturing America after equity stake was purchased by Mitsubishi in 1993.

Finding out where your Mitsubishi was manufactured is quite easy if you own a car based on the American developed PS platform, such as the Eclipse, Galant or Endeavor. If you own any other Mitsubishi product, production was handled by one of their Japanese manufacturing facilities either in Aichi or Okayama Japan.

What Are the Most Popular Mitsubishi Trucks?

Many people who have owned a truck feel that Mitsubishi is the best import pick up to own.

Mitsubishi Mighty Max
As far as trucks are concerned, even with the age, this truck has decent gas mileage. It will average around 18 miles per gallon in the city and a whopping 24 miles per gallon on the highway. It burns very little if any oil. Even with 102,000 miles, the engine hums along. The one downside reported by many is that the seats are not very comfortable for long trips. Other than that, the cab will fit three people. Although the crash test rating is not very good, for a truck that only offers 2-wheel drive, it is a rugged but simple and economical little truck.

Mitsubishi Raider
Although retired in 2009, the Mitsubishi Raider offered a V8 4.7L engine along with side curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes. It was also available in a number of different trims. Used models have a choice of extended cab or a crew cab that offers more space. The crew cab is large enough for four adults and features rear seats that flip up to reveal a storage area. The Raider is known as a steady vehicle that can handle all types of road conditions, with a 4-wheel drive system that provides excellent traction on even the roughest terrains. Overall, owners indicate that they would buy a Mitsubishi Raider again.

Mitsubishi L200
If you are looking for a pickup truck that really delivers, this is the one to consider. With its 2.5 diesel engine, it is also a family friendly vehicle with its double cab feature. To help make this work truck even more family friendly, some versions feature a CD player and an air conditioner, as well as other stylish upgrades. You can even find them with leather trim and seats, and accessories that include DVD players for the back seat passengers to enjoy.

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What Are the Most Popular Mitsubishi Warranty Coverage Options?

A Mitsubishi warranty ensures that Mitsubishi owners get extensive and complete protection. No doubt, Mitsubishi vehicles are of high quality and they are also reliable and durable. Even so, buying protection is important and the company, for its part, offers extensive warranties. These warranties ensure that Mitsubishi vehicle owners can take to the road with complete confidence, knowing that they will be protected for a good number of years.

Basic Warranty
The basic warranty starts at three years or 36,000 miles, and covers all items excluding those that are worn out or which need to be replaced in the regular course of owning a vehicle. Therefore, oil and air filters, brake pads and wiper blades are excluded; the same goes for batteries and tires.

Drivetrain Warranty

The drivetrain warranty offers protection for five years or 60,000 miles. This warranty may be extended even after the basic warranty is no longer applicable. It covers the parts that help move the vehicle, including the transmission, engine, driveshaft and drive axles. Belts and hoses are excluded, as are pistons and bearings, which can stop working on account of wear and tear.

Rust Protection
This warranty covers you for seven years or 100,000 miles, protects the sheet metal from which the body is constructed against severe rusting and corrosion that can lead to holes developing in the body. However, rust on the surface is not covered and furthermore, if you maintain your vehicle properly there is usually little to worry about on account of rusting and corrosion.

Diamond Care Protection Plan
The Diamond Care Protection Plan is a good option as it provides protection for seven years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Roadside Assistance
Mitsubishi offers a five year and unlimited mileage roadside assistance coverage. This covers you for roadside assistance when a broken down Mitsubishi leaves you stranded. The good news is that roadside assistance programs cover you even if the breakdown occurred because of your own fault.

If you accidentally lock yourself out of the car, have no gas in the tank or your vehicle suffers a flat tire, roadside assistance programs take care of the problem. Just place a call to the Mitsubishi toll-free number and prompt assistance will be provided. However, there are many variances in roadside assistance programs, which means that you must check to see what coverage is provided and what expenses have to be borne by you.

For help regarding which Mitsubishi warranty is applicable, it pays to check with a Mitsubishi auto dealer who will explain the different warranties and their associated pricing. The dealer will also be able to explain which Mitsubishi Extended Warranty is best; with many options available this will help the owner learn which option is worth paying for.

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How Should I Buy Mitsubishi Import?

If you are in the market to buy a Mitsubishi import, you have a number of different purchasing options ahead of you. Mitsubishi has had an array of vehicles come out of the factory over the years, and one of them may very well be perfect for you. To get started, you need to know just what to look for in your Mitsubishi import.

Know What Car You Want
The first step in making your purchase is to determine what model of Mitsubishi you want. Here are some of the most popular models out right now:

• Eclipse.If you want a simple but reliable sports car from Mitsubishi, an Eclipse import may be the way to go. This car is rated at 162 horsepower and features an always desired Sportronic transmission. A pumping stereo system and 18 inch wheels seal the deal with this option.
• Lancer.A Mitsubishi Lancer import is one of the most affordable cars to get. It's a nice looking sedan that even new will cost less than $15,000. It still has some power behind the wheels, but it is made more for a sensible family person than anything.
• Evolution.The Mitsubishi Evolution (or Evo) is a sports car legend. With a blitzing 291 horsepower motor under the hood, this vehicle truly has made a mark on the car industry. It comes equipped with a rear spoiler and 18-inch rims that bring the whole car together.
• Outlander. This is a Mitsubishi SUV that is great for families. It features a flap fold tailgate and an energy efficient engine to help you maintain your budget. This front wheel drive vehicle might be great for you if you love to travel.

There are many other Mitsubishi models out there, so take some time to analyze exactly what your needs are and how this car company can fulfill them.

Look Online
When you are going to buy your Mitsubishi import, start by looking online. The problem with just looking in your local area is that you might have a limited selection of vehicles to choose from. That usually means you will end up paying more money for a car than you want to, and you might not be fully satisfied with the one you get. Do a little shopping around the Internet so you can find the best deals.

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Go through a Mitsubishi Dealer
At a Mitsubishi dealer you have the best selection of vehicles possible, and access to an expert who can help you pick out the car that is right for you. You can sit down with a salesman and go over your budget to see what vehicles fit best in your price range. You can also mention just what you need the car for and see if the sales person can point you in the right direction.

Are There Any Hidden Fees with Mitsubishi Cars?

One of the things to think about when buying a Mitsubishi is the hidden costs associated with buying a car. What you do not see when you look at the MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) are all the other fees associated with the vehicle when, and after, you purchase it. Here are some of the hidden fees associated with buying a Mitsubishi.

Dealer Prep Fees
This hidden cost is added to the price of the car by the dealer for the work they did in getting it ready for the lot and for sale. These fees include things that look like they are standard, but have been added by the dealer after they received it, such as undercoating, paint, interior additions like upgraded stereo and air conditioning and fabric sealant. They are hidden in the MSRP, and disguised as normal costs. However, it is pure profit for the dealership.

Destination Charges
Since Mitsubishis are a foreign made vehicle, they are imported on ships. When they reach the port of call they are subject to a fee known as the destination charge, so they can be made legal for entry into the U.S. Some manufacturers have a dealer holdback incentive, in which the dealer gets a 5% discount per vehicle so they can pay for these charges. In the end these charges are passed on to the buyer so the dealership can profit.

Advertising Fees
Another hidden cost at the time of buying a new Mitsubishi is advertising fees that the dealer used to have advertisements made and published. These are usually very small, but can add up with all of the other fees associated with the new car. Seeing this before you buy the car will give you another means to bargain for a better price.

Finance Charges
These fees are not really hidden, but you do not really see them up front. When you finance a new vehicle, there are charges added besides normal interest. Sales taxes and documentation fees are added to the actual price you are financing. You can avoid these charges if you file all the paperwork yourself and pay the sales tax separately.

Maintenance Charges
You will not see these charges at the time of buying the vehicle, but they will begin to compound during the life of the vehicle. Mitsubishis are very reliable cars that don't have a lot of problems associated with them, but there is still normal maintenance needed. This can lead to another $1,500 per year to keep your vehicle running in tip top shape.

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