15 Facts About Mitsubishi | Mitsubishi in Miami

Mitsubishi dates back nearly 100 years old, and the company has been responsible for making some of the most innovative cars of all time.

From the scorchingly fast Evo to the incredibly popular Outlander SUV, Mitsubishi in Miami has offered consumers numerous cutting-edge vehicles over the years.

Here’s a look at 15 things you probably didn’t know about this creative automotive manufacturer.

Fact 1

Mitsubishi’s automotive history started when the Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. developed the Model A in 1917. It was the first series-production vehicle ever in Japan.

Intended as a luxury car for important officials, the Model A had quite an elegant appearance and a lavishly dressed interior. It set the tone for a later Mitsubishi sedan, the Debonair, which was marketed to an exclusive audience in the 1960s.

Fact 2

The Mitsubishi logo was derived from the flag design of its shipping company predecessor. The three triangles are actually based on the shape of a water chestnut.

In Japanese, the word for three is “mitsu,” and the word for water chestnut is “hishi.” However, “hishi” is pronounced as “bishi” when used in the second half of a word. The combination generated the name Mitsubishi.

The logo design, originally created for the shipbuilding company, was based on a blending of two family crests. It existed for many years before the automotive manufacturer’s version was trademarked in 1914.

Fact 3

Sold in over 160 countries around the world, Mitsubishi has established itself as the 16th largest automotive manufacturer in the world.

Over the years, Mitsu has partnered with other leading brands including Volvo, Chrysler, and Hyundai to produce vehicles sold around the globe.

Fact 4

In 1976, Mitsubishi developed the Silent Shaft engine, reducing vibration in 4-cylinder setups. After patenting the groundbreaking technology, they then licensed it to several other big-name manufacturers including Porsche an Saab.

Fact 5

The Mitsubishi brand name was not introduced in the U.S. until 1982, when their sedan, the Tredia, and coupes, the Cordia and Starion, hit the scene.

When sales started out, Mitsubishi’s cars were sold through 70 dealers in 22 states. But by the end of the ’80s, the company had run its first U.S. ad campaign and significantly increased its presence.

Fact 6

Mitsubishi has a longstanding partnership with Jackie Chan who uses only vehicles from the brand in his films. The Lancer Evo became particularly famous because of his movies. Thunderbolt and Who Am I? are two of the classics that show him pulling off wild stunts in a Mitsu.

To galvanize the connection between the famous martial artist/actor and Mitsubishi’s mind-blowing Evo, the company even presented Chan with his own special edition models, complete with personalized badging and decals.

For years, the actor also held the role of honorary director for Ralliart China, his home country’s branch of Mitsu’s racing division.

Fact 7

Traction Control is a standard safety feature in pretty much every production vehicle these days. It has significantly enhanced the safety of modern cars. But did you ever wonder where the technology came from?

You guessed it. In 1990, Mitsubishi was the first automotive maker in the world to design a Traction Control System, changing the norm for manufacturers across the industry.

Fact 8

The Mitsubishi Eclipse, with its turbocharged engine and advanced four-wheel drive technology was named on Car and Driver’s “10 Best List” for four years in a row beginning in 1989.

The Eclipse was the sports coupe that really put Mitsubishi on the map in America, and the Eclipse Spyder convertible that was released in ’96 was an especially hot pick for consumers.

Fact 9

In 1995, Mitsubishi launched the world’s first Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine, making for more efficient combustion. The more environmentally-friendly engine rapidly took hold as an industry standard.

Fact 10

The Lancer was officially introduced in America in 2003 and was named Automobile of the Year by Automobile magazine upon its arrival.

From there it went on to gather a long list of accolades, not only in the U.S., but also worldwide. In 2006, ConsumerSearch named it one of the Best Sports Sedans available.

In addition to its snazzy looks and exceptional performance, the Lancer’s affordable pricing and consistent top marks for safety have kept it at the forefront.

Fact 11

In 1992 an electric car from Mitsubishi became the first in the world to drive 2,000 kilometers in less than 24 hours.

In 2010, the brand launched their best-known electric car, the i-MiEV a year before expected. It won Japan’s “Most Advanced Technology” award that year.

It went on to become the first electric car in the world to sell over 10,000 units, and the feat was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records .

In 2012, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) named the i-MiEV the greenest car available. And it has been praised by both automotive experts and consumers for its ease of use in urban settings.

Fact 12

Speaking of Guinness Book records, Mitsubishi beat five of them in 24 hours in 2011. Taking their newly released Outlander and Outlander Sport to remote Canada, they racked up a series of unrivaled achievements in one day.

• Greatest distance driven by a vehicle in reverse on snow in 30 seconds (300 meters)
• Shortest braking distance by a vehicle on ice (56.2 meters)
• Most vehicle figure eights on ice in two minutes (3 laps)
• Fastest vehicle slalom relay on ice (1 minute, 11 seconds)
• Fastest driven square lap (19 seconds)

Their intent was to demonstrate the Outlander’s ability to perform under even the most extreme conditions, and they certainly met their goal.

Fact 13

With more than 50 years of racing experience, Mitsubishi has crafted an incredible history of rally success. For example, in 1974, Mitsu entered the Lancer 1600GSR in the East African Safari Rally and took home first, second, and third place.

But the company may be best known for their domination of the famous Dakar Rally. No automotive maker has ever topped Mitsubishi’s record of seven consecutive wins, and the brand boasts 12 first place titles altogether.

Fact 14

Mitsubishi’s 2015 Outlander, Outlander Sport, and Lancer sedan were all named “Top Safety Picks” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

In addition to specially constructed frames, seven airbags, Active Stability Control, Traction Logic Control, Brake Assist, Electronic Brake Distribution, and Tire Pressure Monitoring are among the models’ standard safety features.

Because of the Outlander’s outstanding safety ratings, Mitsubishi even offered a unique service for parents with newborns. The company provided transport in an Outlander from the hospital to home for parents with brand new babies.

Fact 15

Mitsubishi is currently planning for the upcoming release of their XR-PHEV which appeared at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The stylish plug-in hybrid crossover can deliver 294 combined horsepower between its gasoline engine and electric motor.

It is projected to have an EV range of 53 miles and an efficiency rating of 65 miles per gallon…pretty remarkable numbers for a roomy crossover of its size.

One of the most exciting things about the XR-PHEV, is that Mitsu intends to equip it with an Augmented Reality windshield that can give drivers navigation cues and information about vehicle distances and pedestrian proximity. Here’s to the future!

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