Mitsubishi is one of the largest
companies of the world, and
automobile manufacture
makes up only one part of the conglomerates empire.
It was originally established in 1870 as a shipping
concern, then became one of the pioneering Japanese
automotive manufacturers when it manufactured
its first car in 1917 – only around 20
of the Fiat designed Model A would be manufactured
before the company decided to concentrate on
other endeavours in 1921, including the manufacture
of trucks and buses.
Mitsubishi spent many years manufacturing
the infamous A6M “Zero” fighter which
rose to prominence in World War 2, then it would
take until 1953 before the company again ventured
in the automotive arena, this time building Jeeps
under licence. In 1959 came the 500, a typical
Japanese micro car that used a three cylinder
2 stroke engine. Renamed the Colt, it would inevitably
grow in size from the fastback 800 to the 1100
saloon. In 1966 Mitsubishi attempted to launch
their large six-cylinder “Debonair” in
Australia, it brimming with standard kit such
as air-conditioning, automatic transmission,
electric seat adjustment and a self-seeking radio,
however it came at a time when Australians chose
to buy Japanese for only one reason – their
low price – and it proved far from successful.
During the 1970’s the company showed some
bold initiative, releasing the stylish Galant
coupe in 1974, and later developing the “Astron” engine,
which featured a balancer shaft to smooth out
unwanted vibration, an unwanted characteristic
of nearly all 4 cylinder engines up until that
time. Export markets came courtesy of a tie-in
with US manufacturer Chrysler, the Mitsubishi’s
being rebadged as Chryslers to enable the company
to bolster their product offering. The first
Sigma’s offered in Australia were rebadged
as Chrysler’s, but when financial problems
beset the giant Chrysler Corporation Mitsubishi
Motors Australia Limited were ready to assume
control. The company inherited a dynamic team
of engineers, designers and managers, many of
whom had worked with Chrysler since its Australian
inception.
