Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) today announced the current Vice President of Corporate Strategy, Mr Masahiko Takahashi, will become President and CEO, following Mr Robert McEniry’s decision to step down as of 31 March 2010, to pursue other business interests. Mr Takahashi has 27 years global experience with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC).
He has worked extensively in Japan, the Middle East and Latin America overseeing marketing, distribution and sales programs for numerous markets across these regions, including the establishment of MMC’s operations in the Middle East. In 2005 Mr Takahashi moved from his position as General Manager Australia and New Zealand Department in MMC to work with Mr McEniry at MMAL. Robert McEniry joined Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd in November 2005 after extensive experience in the global and local automotive industry at General Motors and SAAB and has presided over a period of significant challenge including the company’s transition from a local manufacturer / importer to a successful distributor and retail company.
Mr Takahashi said: “I have come to appreciate the uniqueness of the Australian market over the last four years, and I see significant opportunity for further growth and success of the Mitsubishi Motors operation in Australia, building on the sound base established by Mr McEniry.” “We are seeing strong results across our product range, with both Lancer and Triton reaching all time record sales levels for CY 2009, and the management team is committed to building on that momentum,” Mr Takahashi said. On announcing his decision, Mr McEniry said: “I believe the company and the brand are in great shape, with a very solid foundation for future growth.”
Mitsubishi’s global president confirmsfirst shipment of i-MiEV electricvehicles to Australia Mitsubishi Motors Corporation’s global president, Osamu Masuko, today announced theautomotive manufacturer would supply i-MiEV electric vehicles to Australia. At a pressconference marking his first official visit to Australia, Masuko confirmed Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) will be the first company to release manufacturer produced electricvehicles in this country. During the conference, Masuko confirmed the development of the i-MiEV placed Mitsubishi as thefront-runner in electric vehicle technology.“The i-MiEV has been attracting a lot of attention in Australia, and I am pleased to announce that wecan now confirm additional vehicles will be arriving here in the next few months.”“This announcement will ensure that we will be number one in bringing the electric vehicle toAustralia,” Masuko said.
The initial shipments of the i-MiEV electric vehicles are scheduled for arrival in Australia in July andAugust, and will initially include 40 vehicles for Australian distribution. The vehicles will be offered tocustomers under a leasing agreement, starting from July onwards.According to MMAL’s CEO and President, Masahiko Takahashi, the vehicles will find no shortage ofpotential owners on local shores.“Over the last twelve months we have conducted feasibility trials with potential electric vehiclecustomers, such as local, state and federal government bodies, and major fleet operators, and thereaction has been overwhelmingly positive,” Takahashi said.Released in Japan in July 2009, the i-MiEV, which stands for Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle, isone of the world’s first truly viable zero drive-time emission city commuters in volume production.
International interest in the vehicle has been considerable and the i-MiEV has undergone feasibilitystudies in several countries around the world, including the United States, Europe, the UnitedKingdom, New Zealand, Iceland, Canada, and more recently in Australia.
Utilising a large-capacity lithium-ion battery system and a compact, high-output electric motor in placeof a traditional gasoline power train (based on Japanese and European trial figures) the i-MiEV hassome impressive technical specifications for a zero drive-time emissions vehicle.Producing 47 kW of power and 180 Nm of instant torque, the i-MiEV’s permanent magnetsynchronous engine is supported by a revolutionary lithium-ion battery from Lithium Energy Japan.The i-MiEV’s electric motor is smaller, produces more torque at low revolutions and is quieter than asimilarly-powered turbocharged gasoline engine (according to MMC in-house tests). Most importantly,the i-MiEV’s engine is cleaner, producing zero drive-time CO2 emissions.
With skill’s and toughness to boot who better to review 4WD of the year the Mitsubishi Triton then Brisbane based Wallaby Will Genia.
At only 22 Will Genia has helped drive the Queensland Red’s to their best performance in 7 years and cement himself in the Wallabies as a superstar. Don’t take these words from me, often hailed as Australia’s greatest halfback George Gregan has passed on some compliments that should have Brisbane and Australian Rugby fans excited.
‘He’s got a lot more skills than me,’ Gregan said of Genia. ‘He’s bigger, stronger and he can kick a lot further. I’m a dinosaur compared to him. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. I like the way he plays. He has time and space to do things, which is a sign of a real quality player.’
With these abilities in mind I couldn’t wait to hear what Will had to say about the all new Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R 2010.
After a tough game out on the footy field comfort is important, no doubt bruised and battered Will found the Triton “was very spacious and had a comforatable interior, it was also very free and easy to drive”
As the 4wd of the year Mitsubishi have obviously designed something quite special for the 4WD enthusiasts in mind, however as Will said it was “simple and luxurious at the same time both on inside and outside whilst also being sporty stylish 4 wheel drive that drives better and looks better than any other 4wd”
So take it from Brisbane Wallaby Will Genia, “the Mitsubishi Triton drives better and looks better then any other 4wd”
More information on the new Mitsubishi Triton
