Mitsubishi Motors Registers Two Old Nameplates with the USPTO
Back in May 2024, Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) announced its Momentum 2030 five-year business plan to introduce more models into its North American lineup. That means good news for the U.S., because far too many models by the Japanese automaker stay overseas. Its most recent concept to be produced is the Mitsubishi xForce, but was restricted to sales in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. The new business plan bodes well for new and updated models to hit the market, and it seems like some old nameplates may also resurface. According to a recent trademark filed by Mitsubishi with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), we have a clue as to which two might make a comeback.
When MMNA first shared its Momentum 2030 business plan, the automaker brought up many of its earlier concepts that never made the cut. These included the Mitsubishi Engelberg Tourer, Mitsubishi e-Evolution, the Mitsubishi eX, and several others. As legendary as the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was in Japan, its sales have gone up and down over the last few years, so the Engelberg Tourer would be a nice replacement. The e-Evolution is supposed to be a resurrection of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, and we all know how much consumers and rally car fans want to see that. Mitsubishi eX was a futuristic concept that didn’t have the kind of automotive technology available to the market now.
So, why all the buzz about trademark filings? This doesn’t usually guarantee anything, but the world of automotive journalism is quick to start a frenzy when an automaker goes to the USPTO and registers a new or old name. It shouldn’t hold that much water, though. A certain muscle car automaker registered the name “Barracuda” years ago, and it never came to pass. So, we won’t hang our hats on this one yet, but according to the USPTO, Mitsubishi registered an international Class 12 trademark for the names “Montero” and “Lancer Sportback” earlier this year (2024).
Now, we don’t know how any of this will pan out. The Mitsubishi Montero was a well-built vehicle with off-road abilities, but eventually got the axe in the U.S. market due to high emission standards. Overseas, Montero continues to sell under the name of the “Pajero” or “Shogun”. The return of the Lancer or the Lancer Evolution has been teased more than once, and like the Eclipse Cross, the Lancer nameplate may return as another crossover. For those not in the know, the Lancer Evolution was designed by the Mitsubishi subsidiary Ralliart. Recently revived as an aftermarket auto parts store, the Mitsubishi Vision Ralliart Concept got the green light for production last year (2023) when an estimated release date of 2024. We haven’t heard anything since.
Amongst the vehicles set for a North American release, we have some clues. After Mitsubishi Motors invested into the Ampere electric vehicle facility, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance confirmed a new medium SUV the Alliance confirmed for Mitsubishi. On top of that, Mitsubishi and Nissan are collaborating together to bring a new battery-electric vehicle and/or a new pickup truck to the U.S. market. Most recently, Mitsubishi revealed the D:X Concept at the Japan Mobility Show in 2023, and we got a good first look at the new and futuristic-looking SUV in May 2024.
Could Mitsubishi Motors bring back the Montero and Lancer? There have been a lot of promises and rumors like that with the automaker over the last ten years, and it has yet to fulfill any of them. Here’s hoping that Alliance and Ampere can change that. Follow along with us on Miami Lakes Automall social media to learn more.