Mitsubishi to double production at Illinois plant
Posted Mar 22nd 2012 10:43AM
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According to reports citing Japan's Nikkei daily, Mitsubishi Motors North America will be cranking up production at its Normal, Illinois plant, but not because the company expects a 100 per cent increase in demand in North America to match the 70,000 units the plant will soon be cranking out. Instead, the plant will be making Outlander Sport models intended for export to other markets like Russia and Latin America. To make way for the increased Outlander Sport output, the slow-moving Galant family sedan will soon leave the building. No replacement has been announced.
Mitsubishi has plants worldwide, but those in closest proximity to strengthening markets are reportedly running at full tilt, so the move makes use of plants in markets where demand is slack. Mitsubishi has seen its fortunes in the U.S. and Canada go into a state of atrophy, and even though sales rebounded somewhat last year, this production shift shows that turnabout is fair play. Refreshing to hear some good news from Mitsubishi and keeping North American plants running strong as opposed to closing and moving in the area of rising markets.
