Spun off from the Mitsubishi industrial group to build rugged SUVs and rally-winning performance cars
QUICK FACTS
Est. 1970 — best known for SUVs and cars, part of the wider Mitsubishi keiretsu.
HISTORY
Mitsubishi has manufactured vehicles since 1917, but its modern car business became an independent company, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, in 1970 when it was spun off from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. That same year, Mitsubishi formed a capital and technical partnership with Chrysler, which helped it enter the North American market.
Mitsubishi built its reputation on rugged, capable vehicles, including the Pajero SUV, launched in 1982 and a repeat winner of the grueling Paris-Dakar Rally, and the Lancer Evolution, launched in 1992, a rally-bred performance sedan nicknamed the 'Evo'. The company remains linked to the wider Mitsubishi keiretsu network of affiliated businesses and, since 2016, has been part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.
PRODUCTS
SUV launched 1982, multiple Paris-Dakar Rally wins
Rally-bred performance sedan produced 1992-2016, nicknamed 'Evo'
Mid-size SUV, one of Mitsubishi's current best-sellers
TIMELINE
This page is compiled from publicly available company history and is provided for general reference only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult the brand's official website.