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Mitsubishi shuts doors on U.S. design studio

 
4 2,027 views Mar 6, 2009
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2009 mitsu eclipse01

2009 mitsu eclipse06

2009 mitsu eclipse06

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American carmakers have caught the brunt of the public's outrage against the car industry, thanks mostly to their highly public pleas for cash. But the whole industry is hurting, even niche Japanese carmakers like Mitsubishi. As part of their cost-cutting measures, the Triple Diamond brand will be closing the doors on their U.S. design studio in Cypress, CA, leaving 60 employees out of work.

The move echoes a similar step taken by Nissan in January when it closed its Michigan studios. Chrysler closed its California design studio last May, though the facility was later purchased by - of all companies - Mercedes-Benz.

“It’s a reflection of what is going on in the auto industry right now and the economy as a whole. Design functions will now revert fully to our headquarter’s facilities in Japan," Mitsubishi PR spokesman Moe Durand told The New York Times.

Fortunately for fans of the brand's hottest car - the Lancer Evolution - the U.S. design studio was responsible for more uniquely American vehicles, including the Eclipse, Galant and Endeavor. The lack of success of the Project America, or PS platform cars as they are called internally, also contributed to the decision to shut the studio down.
2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse
2009 Mitsubishi Galant facelift

HI-RES GALLERY: 2009 mitsu eclipse01

HI-RES GALLERY: 2009 galant facelift 01




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Comments (4)

  1. ma_InkMaster avatar InkMaster Posted: 3/6/2009 11:31am PST

    Shame if the Eclipse will go away... Its my favorite Mitsubishi thats currently being sold in US... Or at least the last generation was... before it tried to swallow a truck tire...
     
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  2. ma_Rice1 avatar Rice1 Posted: 3/6/2009 4:56pm PST

    The last generation was an atrocity! The best looking eclipses were two generations ago, made between 95-99 (the facelifted 97-99's were sweet).

    They've completely gone in the wrong direction in terms of looks. I'm glad they're gone, good riddance.

    When was the last time you've heard someone actually compliment the looks of a mitsu that wasn't an evo?
     
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  3. ma_NaBUru38 avatar NaBUru38 Posted: 3/8/2009 11:06am PDT

    The current Galant is pathetic. The Concept-ZT showed that Mitsubishi was ready for handsome large sedans, but missed the chance to releasing them. It's sad that Mitsu's touring car range will be reduced to just kei cars, the Colt and the Lancer.
     
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  4. ma_tonyy avatar tonyy Posted: 6/2/2009 9:34pm PDT

    The last nice looking cars of Mitsubishi were sold in 2002 like the Diamante, Eclipse and Montero. Mitsubishi lost the concept of beauty on car designs. The last Eclipse, Galant, and lancer are ugly, and the Endeavor is just pathetic...
     
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