History of Mitsubishi Motors

July 25th, 2022 by

Mitsubishi Motors is an automaker that has proved itself to be a reliable manufacturer since its founding. From its excellent track record in various rally sports to being a perennial favorite for adrenaline junkies, the history of Mitsubishi Motors stretches back over a century.

Mitsubishi has many milestones to boast about and has undergone several changes on its road to becoming the renowned automaker it is today. Let Fort Meyers Mitsubishi’s auto experts take you on a trip through the history of Mitsubishi Motors as we highlight some of the pivotal points in Mitsubishi’s 100+ years of existence.

Mitsubishi’s Origins

Mitsubishi’s history dates back to 1870, when Yatari Iwasaki and his brother, son, and nephew joined forces to form Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Limited in Japan. The company’s operations were initially in the shipping industry, but over time, Mitsubishi ventured into other areas, namely aviation and motors. The Mitsubishi Motors we know today started after the launch of the company’s three-diamond trademark symbol in 1914.

When Did Mitsubishi Start Making Cars?

After registering its trademark symbol, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Limited started working on car manufacturing. Among its earliest models were the 1917 Model A and the 1936 PX33.

1917 Mitsubishi Model A

In 1917, Mitsubishi began developing a prototype for the Mitsubishi Model A. When the Mitsubishi Model A was completed in November 1918, it became Japan’s first series-production automobile. The Model A was designed as a luxury vehicle for government officials. Some of the vehicle’s specifications included solid front and rear axles and a seven-passenger seating capacity. By 1922, Mitsubishi had developed 22 vehicles in the Model A line.

1936 Mitsubishi PX33

In 1934, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. Limited came together with Mitsubishi Aircraft Co. to form Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Under a Japanese government contract, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries produced four prototypes of the PX33 for military use. This model marked another historical milestone for Japan as the first Japanese sedan with a four-wheel-drive system. Though the model was discontinued, its four-wheel-drive technology made history 50 years later.

Non-Passenger Vehicles

During the Second World War, Mitsubishi’s efforts centered on manufacturing military aircraft. After the war, it resumed vehicle manufacturing with the following releases:

1946 Mizushima

After a temporary halt in vehicle manufacturing, Mitsubishi resumed operations with a release of a small three-wheeled cargo vehicle. The 1946 Mizushima’s primary use was cargo transportation. Its features included a tiny half-ton load bed, a 750cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine, and foldable windows. The Mizushima was such a popular cargo vehicle that Mitsubishi had produced 900,000 vehicles by 1962 just to meet the demand.

1946 Silver Pigeon

The Silver Pigeon was Mitsubishi’s first scooter. It weighed 70 kilograms (154 pounds) and was integral to the post-war era of personal transportation. Its features included an automatic belt-type transmission with a four-stroke single-cylinder engine. The Silver Pigeon’s production lasted for two decades, with Mitsubishi producing over 450,000 scooters by 1963.

First Family-Sized Sedan

In 1960, as the Japanese economy recovered from the war, the need for family-size sedans grew. The Mitsubishi 500 met this demand. First introduced at the 1959 Tokyo Motor Show, the Mitsubishi 500 gained popularity due to its features. It was a two-door, four-seater car with a rear-mounted 21-horsepower engine and a three-speed manual gearbox. Production for this model lasted until 1962.

International Motorsports Debut

Mitsubishi made its international motorsports debut in 1962 at the Macau Grand Prix with the Mitsubishi 500 Super Deluxe. It was the first vehicle to be aerodynamically tested in a wind tunnel in Japan. The vehicle had a 25-horsepower engine with rear-wheel drive and a three-gear manual transmission. Mitsubishi won the Macau Grand Prix, taking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

Entry Into the American Market

In 1970, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ automobile division became independent and adopted the name Mitsubishi Motors Corporate. Mitsubishi Motors started increasing exports by partnering with well-known foreign companies. One of its first partnerships was with Chrysler. Chrysler sold the 1971 Dodge Colt in the American market, with an annual production of 250,000 vehicles. The Dodge Colt was a sedan with features such as a four-cylinder front engine, four-speed manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive.

Australian Southern Cross Rally Win

In 1973, Mitsubishi joined the grueling 2,000-kilometer rally circuit using the Lancer 1600 GSR, which made an impactful debut by dominating the Australian Southern Cross Rally. Mitsubishi won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place at the rally, leading to an increase in global sales. The Lancer’s features included rear-wheel drive and a five-gear manual transmission.

World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally

The WRC Safari Rally in Kenya had a reputation for being the toughest international rally circuit. It took five days and covered over 6,000 kilometers of diverse terrain. The rally was a test of skill for experienced drivers and automakers because the diverse terrain in the WRC required driver dexterity to avoid mechanical failures. Despite all this, the relatively new Lancer 1600 GSR won the 1974 Safari Rally, proving its agility and strength.

Electronic Traction Control System Invention

In 1999, Mitsubishi invented the world’s first electronically controlled traction control system. This safety feature detects when a tire loses its grip and stops or slows the rate of wheel spinning. This maneuver helps the tire regain its traction.

Environmental Conservation Pledge

By the end of the 20th century, people and companies were making efforts to champion environmental conservation. In its Drive@Earth campaign, Mitsubishi pledged to make changes to manufacture socially and environmentally friendly vehicles.

This promise brought together emissions-reducing technology such as electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to decrease the carbon footprint. The Drive@Earth campaign came into play when environmental changes became visible and conservation became more urgent.

Best 5 All-Around Performance Award

In 2017, the automaker introduced the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Its features include a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, rear electric motor with all-wheel drive and a one-speed automatic transmission. These environmentally friendly features helped the automaker bag a Best 5 All-Around Performance Award from the Automotive Science Group.

Purchase a Mitsubishi From Fort Myers Mitsubishi

True to its tagline, “Drive Your Ambition,” Mitsubishi has grown and evolved by adjusting to the needs of the time and spearheading several changes. At Fort Myers Mitsubishi, we’re proud to be among Mitsubishi’s partners in Florida.

We have the right car for you in our inventory at a competitive price to cater to your needs and preferences. You can also use our CarFinder tool to make the search easy. Should you need financing, our professional finance team will assist you in finding the best loan for your car purchase. Apply for financing online and have the right car for you in your driveway soon. Contact us if you have any queries or issues.

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