Contrary to public belief, Mitsubishi still sells cars in America. And the company is hard at work on hybrid technology: they are planning to sell three electric versions of their vehicles: the i-MiEV, the Outlander, and the Outlander Sport.

The kidney-shaped i-MiEV is already available in America, and is fully electric-powered. But the other two vehicles will likely be plug-in hybrids: the compact Outlander Sport will be introduced first, while the larger Outlander will be available globally in 2013.

Like PBS, Mitsubishi is looking to be known as The Electric Company: by 2015 they aim to have eight vehicles that are either fully-electric or plug-in hybrids. To start things off, the i-MiEV will be available early next year across the country.

[Source: NZ Herald]

Mitsubishi is killing both its Endeavor crossover and Eclipse coupe and convertible due to slow sales, with both vehicles scheduled to die off in August.

The Endeavor never found much love amongst car buyers, but the Eclipse has a long history in the performance car segment, even if its moved further away from its original formula with each generation. Mitsubishi also announced the end of their famous Lancer Evolution sports car, and will eventually trim their model lineup to the Lancer, Outlander, Outlander Sport and Galant. Mitsubishi will also introduce the all electric i in limited numbers in late 2011.

Mitsubishi‘s mid-size offerings, already long in the tooth and outdated, may have to soldier on to 2013, after which point they will be unceremoniously executed as Mitsubishi shifts its focus from heavy, lumbering mid-size cars to small vehicles and electric powertrains.

Mitsubishi is currently lacking in capital, and is investing all of its cash in the development of a new global small car, that is slated to be production-ready by late 2012. Until then, the U.S. Mitsubishi range will undergo no changes, save for the introduction of the Outlander Sport and iMIEV.

With no mainstream product in sight for another years, it will be a tough road for Mitsubishi to keep selling cars in the United States as the competition gets better and better.

[Source: Autoweek]

A little over a month after the new Outlander Sport SUV (known as the ASX or RVR in the rest of the world) took a bow at the New York Auto Show, Mitsubishi has announced that it will be giving a variation of the sharp-looking crossover to Peugeot and Citroen, two companies which have had a long alliance with the Japanese automaker.

The Peugeot/Citroen variant will come with a very European 1.6-liter diesel engine, and the choice of either front or four-wheel-drive. Expected to launch in 2012, Peugeot and Citroen expect to move a combined 50,000 units per year, with the companies forecasting a 60% growth in SUV sales by 2015. While Europe is not usually thought of as hot spot for SUVs, compact crossovers (like this small, diesel powered model) are a hit and the ASX could potentially be a popular vehicle for locales with tight, winding streets and high fuel prices.

Official release after the jump:

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Mitsubishi displayed the new ASX at the Geneva Auto Show. Leaked photos made their way online last week but we’ve got live images of the crossover, expected in North America as the Outlander Sport.

Europeans will have the option of a 150-hp 1.8-liter turbo-diesel engine (the first with variable valve timing), and a 116-hp 1.6-liter gasoline engine for the ASX. The diesel model also gets a variable turbine geometry turbo, as well as a start-stop system, regenerative braking, low rolling resistance tires and electric power steering. Both versions will be available in front- and all-wheel drive.

The North American model, which will be known as the Outlander Sport, will likely debut at the New York Auto Show at the end of March.

Gallery: Mitsubishi ASX / Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Images and details of the new Mitsubishi ASX (to be called the Outlander Sport in North America) have leaked online before the car’s Geneva Auto Show debut next week. Several images of the Japanese version of the car have already appeared online (with the ASX called the RVR in Japan), but these photos clearly show a European model.

In Europe, the ASX will be offered with both a 150-hp 1.8-liter turbo-diesel engine (the first with variable valve timing), and a 116-hp 1.6-liter gasoline engine. The diesel model also gets a variable turbine geometry turbo, as well as a start-stop system, regenerative braking, low rolling resistance tires and electric power steering. Both the gasoline and diesel engines will be offered with either front-drive or all-wheel drive.

These ASX photos give us an even closer look at what the North American spec Outlander Sport will look like when it reaches out shores – likely debuting at the New York Auto Show at the end of March. At that time, we expect Mitsubishi to announce the engine for North America will be the company’s 168-hp, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, although we’re hoping for something a bit more exciting.

We’ll bring you more on this car with full coverage of the Geneva Auto Show starting March 1st.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: Mitsubishi ASX

[Source: Minkara via Peter McMutry Car Blogs]