Mitsubishi Motors North America Q1 2024 Sales Have Good News for the Mirage and Eclipse Cross

In early 2024, there was a lot of projection insight data showing that the average American consumer is not interested in electrified vehicles. After looking at the Outlander PHEV sales for 2023, we’d have to disagree. Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) sold 6,681 Outlander Plug-in Hybrid units, which represented a total increase of 240.7 percent over the previous year (2022). Now we’re in 2024, and unless some months are better than others for the Outlander plug-in hybrid SUV, we may need to change our answer. There is some good news, however, for a certain crossover that is ready to shine.

First, the Good News

The crossover is known as the 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, and it had a doozy during the first quarter (Q1) of 2024. Completely demolishing its sales for 2023, for Q1 2023, the Eclipse Cross more than doubled its sales, selling a total of 3463 units. That’s an increase of 120.3 percent year-over-year (Y-O-Y), or 2024 compared to 2023. With this in mind, we wonder why the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has yet to get electrified and become the new flagship of the automaker. Then again, we’ve seen sales for the Eclipse Cross rise and fall, and the vehicle got a quick refresh once the initial backlash of the Eclipse coming back as a crossover died down. The same is probably going to happen with the return of the Mitsubishi Colt.

There was even more good news for the Mitsubishi Mirage. Yes, the Mitsubishi Mirage was discontinued in 2023, with the 2024 model year set to be the last model year for the Mirage hatchback. However, this also made the Mitsubishi Mirage the most fuel-efficient and most affordable car in America. That’s sure to increase the sales, and it would seem consumers continue to cherish the car’s blend of economy, efficiency, and value. The Mitsubishi Mirage sold 5003 units during Q1 2024.

As usual, the Mitsubishi Outlander reigns supreme. Seeing the second-best quarterly sales total in the history of the nameplate, the Outlander saw a year-over-year increase of 41.1 percent. MMNA sold a total of 13,846 units for the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander. No surprise there.

Plug-in Hybrid Blues

Maybe those data projections were right, after all. Unless the Outlander PHEV has a slow start this year, things are not looking good. The Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid sold 75 units less during Q1 2024., as compared to the 1597 units it sold during Q1 2023. The plug-in hybrid SUV has had a lot of success overseas, and we were excited when it finally came stateside, but sales haven’t always reflected that. Perhaps it’s time for something new and the current Mitsubishi flagship vehicle of electrified models to stand down.

Ampere to the Rescue

It took a while for the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) to agree to invest in Ampere. A new subsidiary brand and facility proposed by Renault, Ampere is going to become the new name for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) for the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Shortly after Renault proposed the idea, Nissan signed on for an investment. It took about a year for Mitsubishi to jump in, but now that all three automakers are on board, there’s already some exciting news. According to Renault, Ampere will be producing a new medium SUV for Mitsubishi in the coming years. Since it’s a BEV facility, we expect a new electric SUV, and possibly the new flagship of the automaker.

Want to learn more about Mitsubishi and Ampere? Follow us on University Mitsubishi social media. Want to have the most fuel-efficient car in America before it’s gone? Find the new Mitsubishi Mirage at University Mitsubishi. The legendary and new Mitsubishi Outlander is also at University Mitsubishi.

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