Mitsubishi Motors has announced it will “procure” vehicles from partner Renault for “selected major markets in Europe”.
As part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, the Japanese firm will from 2023 sell two “sister models” produced in Groupe Renault plants and based on Renault “best-sellers” but “with differentiations”. Mitsubishi says these Renault models “already meet regulatory requirements” in Europe.
In July 2020, of course, Mitsubishi announced its decision to freeze new-car development for the European market.
Takao Kato, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, said the company “welcomed” the new Renault-developed models for the European market, saying they would “ultimately” result in “new customers”.
“Mitsubishi Motors has been implementing structural reforms in Europe and our decision to freeze new-car development for the European market, announced in July 2020 in our mid-term business plans, remains.
“However, the OEM supply agreement will provide us with a solution to offer new products developed and manufactured in Europe – alongside our ongoing aftersales business,” Kato-san said.
Separately, Mitsubishi in the United Kingdom said these two new models would be available in “selected left-hand drive European markets only”, explaining they would “not be offered for sale in the UK” and not produced in right-hand drive.