Company overview
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer. It was originally formed in 1970 from the automotive division of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, stemming from its origins as a shipbuilding company in 1917. The company’s logo, featuring three red diamonds, dates back almost a century and reflects the Iwasaki Yatarō founder’s family crest. Mitsubishi initially focused on producing aircraft engines and ships before transitioning to passenger vehicles in the 1950s, importing American models like the Kaiser Henry J and Willys Jeep. By 1964, it established a single automotive operation, introducing models such as the Mitsubishi 500 and Colt. In 1970, a partnership with Chrysler began, leading to the sale of the Galant in the United States as the Dodge Colt. Throughout the 1980s, Mitsubishi expanded its presence in the U.S. market and globally, culminating in a public offering in 1988. In the 1990s, Mitsubishi focused on SUV development and successfully rode the trend in Japan. In 2005, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries provided a significant rescue investment to stabilize the company following a product recall scandal. By 2016, Nissan acquired a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors as part of the Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance.
