Archive for category Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi Breaks 5 World Records
Posted by MrChristopher in Mitsubishi on February 9, 2011
In what appears to be an impressive marketing effort, Mitsubishi went out to do something that hadn’t been done before. Break a total of 5 world records within 24 hours. A couple of the records hadn’t been achieved before and the remaining 3 simply had to be beaten. So Mitsubishi head to Alberta Canada with the Guinness Book of World Records in tow and set out to do just that. While some may claim this as a marketing stunt, you can’t argue that the Outlander is proving to be a capable vehicle in snow and icy conditions and they probably couldn’t have picked a better time to show off the results while most of the country is digging its way out of snow drifts.
Most are also saying that it’s only designed to help Mitsubishi dealers sell cars. OMG! Are you serious!? Whatever your position, it’s marketing genius and it worked. They broke 5 records, got crazy publicity from it, and have established their flag on top of 5 separate hills that have to be dethroned. And the best part is that every competitor that tries will simply look desperate. What were the records to beat and what had to be done?
1. Greatest Distance by a Vehicle in Reverse on Snow in 30 Seconds
Vehicle will start from a stopped position behind a starting line designated by two cones – to be measured by GPS – The entire course must be covered in snow, i.e. no element of the ground (grass, dirt, etc.) should be visible on the course before the race. To break the record, it must be longer than 152.4m/ 500 Feet
Mitsubishi’s Result? They used the Outlander to achieve a distance of almost twice that at 300 meters.
2. Shortest braking distance by a Vehicle on Ice
Car must be traveling min 48kph/ 30mph – to be verified by radar gun. To break the record, the distance must be less than 315ft
Mitsubishi’s Result? Again, using the Outlander, they were able to brake in 184 feet.
3. Most Vehicle Figure Eights in Two Minutes
To break the record, must complete more than 3 figure eights in two minutes. The last record was a little over 2.
Mitsubishi’s Result? They did 3, using the Outlander
4. Fastest Vehicle Slalom Relay on Ice
The entire course must be covered in ice, i.e. no element of the ground (grass, dirt, etc.) should be visible on the course before the race. Consisting of start / finish line followed by 20 feet to the first cone and 100 feet between 13 cones. The second vehicle may have a running start of up to 50 feet, but may not start until the first vehicle is completely passed the last cone.
Mitsubishi’s Result? They performed this trial in 1 minute and 11 seconds.
5. Fastest Driven Square Lap
Square must be min. 100ft*100ft with 90 degree corners. The course must be set up with the proper barriers so that the driver is not able to go inside the square at any point. 30 seconds to break record.
Mitsubishi’s Result? They did it in 19 seconds.
Congratulations to Mitsubishi for stepping on a bunch of toes and doing a great marketing campaign that will have other manufacturers very annoyed. Watch the video here!
Mitsubishi I-MiEV Launches in U.K.
Posted by MrChristopher in Chevrolet, Electric Cars, Mitsubishi on January 18, 2011
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV officially hit the U.K. as the electric super-mini starts selling in 15 European countries. The electric car won’t be seen in the United States at the Atlanta Mitsubishi dealerships until Fall of 2011. That’s the same window that the Chevy Volt is planning to land in most all states, although a few states already offer it now. The i-MiEV is selling for 23,990 pounds, which is about $38,398 in U.S. dollars. Whether it will keep the same price point once it hits the states is unknown. The U.K. government is offering a 5,000 pound plug-in grant ($8,003 US dollars), which is similar to the $7000 dollars that the U.S. offered for people planning to purchase the upcoming Chevy Volt or any other hybrid/electric vehicles for that matter.
The car offers seating for 4, zero emissions, an expected driving range of 85 miles, and will be made available in 5 colors. Like the Volt, if your commute is under 80 miles, you may never use gas again. The question is whether people will opt for a $40,000 electric vehicle when the Chevy Volt has already created an amazing amount of buzz already for about the same price point. For Mitsubishi to outrun the marketing beast that has been brewing for the Volt, it would have to do an all out advertising blitz to overcome its competition and possibly come in at a lower cost to really compete. Not to mention the thousands of Volt’s that are pre-ordered even at Atlanta Chevy Dealers already. While there’s certainly room for competition, Mitsubishi better start moving now.
