List of Mitsubishi platforms
Encyclopedia
Mitsubishi platforms are the automobile platform
s used by Mitsubishi Motors
for their production automobile
s. Mirroring trends throughout the automotive industry
, the company is reducing the number of distinct platforms, and increasing platform sharing across its ranges. Following DaimlerChrysler
's purchase of a controlling stake in Mitsubishi in 2001, part of the subsequent cost-cutting drive initiated by Rolf Eckrodt
upon his employment as chief executive officer
of MMC was to reduce the number of platforms from twelve to six. Similarly, Stefan Jacoby, the CEO of Mitsubishi Motor Sales Europe, expressed concern in 2002 that the company would need to rationalize its platforms, even if the number of models sold were to increase.
, also known as "Project Global", is used in compact car
s in North America
, small family cars in Europe
, and lower medium cars in Japan
. It was first developed during DaimlerChrysler's tenure as Mitsubishi's controlling shareholder between 2001 and 2005. Mitsubishi were also given responsibility for developing small and medium car platforms for the entire group during this time, although since the German and Japanese companies' divorce Chrysler
, who were dependent on Mitsubishi, now claim greater autonomy in platform development. All Mitsubishi vehicles using the GS platform are made in Japan, beginning with the 2005 Outlander
crossover SUV
.
, also known as "Project America", is a mid-size, front-wheel drive
platform developed by Mitsubishi Motors North America
. All vehicles built at the Diamond-Star Motors
facility in Normal, Illinois
are underpinned by the platform, as is the Australia
n built Mitsubishi 380
, which is loosely derived from the PS-based ninth generation of the Mitsubishi Galant
.
is a small-car platform jointly developed by DaimlerChrysler and Mitsubishi Motors since 2001, and first introduced in the 2003 Mitsubishi Colt
. It was also used a year later in the Smart Forfour
, and was to have underpinned DaimlerChrysler's Smart Formore
mini SUV
until that project was discontinued.
Automobile platform
An automobile platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from different, but related marques...
s used by Mitsubishi Motors
Mitsubishi Motors
is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
for their production automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s. Mirroring trends throughout the automotive industry
Automotive industry
The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
, the company is reducing the number of distinct platforms, and increasing platform sharing across its ranges. Following DaimlerChrysler
DaimlerChrysler
Daimler AG is a German car corporation. By unit sales, it is the thirteenth-largest car manufacturer and second-largest truck manufacturer in the world. In addition to automobiles, Daimler manufactures buses and provides financial services through its Daimler Financial Services arm...
's purchase of a controlling stake in Mitsubishi in 2001, part of the subsequent cost-cutting drive initiated by Rolf Eckrodt
Rolf Eckrodt
Rolf Eckrodt is a German automotive engineer and executive, who started his career with Daimler-Benz in 1966 and was CEO of the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation from 2001-2005.-Career:Mr...
upon his employment as chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of MMC was to reduce the number of platforms from twelve to six. Similarly, Stefan Jacoby, the CEO of Mitsubishi Motor Sales Europe, expressed concern in 2002 that the company would need to rationalize its platforms, even if the number of models sold were to increase.
GS platform
The Mitsubishi GS platformMitsubishi GS platform
The GS platform is a compact car platform co-developed by Mitsubishi Motors and DaimlerChrysler, which underpins the companies' compact cars. After DaimlerChrysler and Mitsubishi went their separate ways in 2004, DaimlerChrysler made substantial changes to the platform...
, also known as "Project Global", is used in compact car
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
s in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, small family cars in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, and lower medium cars in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It was first developed during DaimlerChrysler's tenure as Mitsubishi's controlling shareholder between 2001 and 2005. Mitsubishi were also given responsibility for developing small and medium car platforms for the entire group during this time, although since the German and Japanese companies' divorce Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
, who were dependent on Mitsubishi, now claim greater autonomy in platform development. All Mitsubishi vehicles using the GS platform are made in Japan, beginning with the 2005 Outlander
Mitsubishi Outlander
The Airtrek was first introduced to the Japanese market on June 20, 2001, priced from ¥1.7–2.3 million. It offered a choice of either a 4G63 2.0 L or a 4G64 2.4 L GDI, mated to a standard INVECS-II 4-speed semi-automatic transmission. Both front- and four-wheel drive were available...
crossover SUV
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
.
PS platform
The Mitsubishi PS platformMitsubishi PS platform
The Mitsubishi PS platform, also known as "Project America", is mid-size, front wheel drive platform developed by Mitsubishi Motors North America. It is used for the Endeavor, Galant, and Eclipse...
, also known as "Project America", is a mid-size, front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
platform developed by Mitsubishi Motors North America
Mitsubishi Motors North America
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. is the North American operation of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, overseeing sales, manufacturing, finance, and research and development functions...
. All vehicles built at the Diamond-Star Motors
Diamond-Star Motors
Diamond-Star Motors was an automobile-manufacturing joint venture between the Chrysler Corporation and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation . The name came from the parent companies' respective logos: three diamonds and a pentastar...
facility in Normal, Illinois
Normal, Illinois
Normal is an incorporated town in McLean County, Illinois, United States. It had a population of 52,497 as of the 2010 census. Normal is the smaller of two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area...
are underpinned by the platform, as is the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n built Mitsubishi 380
Mitsubishi 380
The Mitsubishi 380 is a mid-size car that was produced by Mitsubishi Motors Australia between 2005 and 2008. It was the successor to the Mitsubishi Magna/Verada line of vehicles first introduced in 1985. The company spent over A$600 million developing and producing the car, which is heavily based...
, which is loosely derived from the PS-based ninth generation of the Mitsubishi Galant
Mitsubishi Galant
The first generation of the car, initially known as the Colt Galant, was released in December 1969. The design was dubbed "Dynawedge" by Mitsubishi, referring to the influence of aerodynamics on the silhouette. Three models were available, powered by the new 'Saturn' engine in 1.3 or 1.5 L ...
.
Z platform
The Mitsubishi Z platformMitsubishi Z platform
The Mitsubishi Z platform is a small-car platform jointly developed by DaimlerChrysler and Mitsubishi Motors since 2001 and used in the Mitsubishi Colt first introduced in 2003...
is a small-car platform jointly developed by DaimlerChrysler and Mitsubishi Motors since 2001, and first introduced in the 2003 Mitsubishi Colt
Mitsubishi Colt
The Mitsubishi Colt is a vehicle built by Mitsubishi Motors since 1962. It was first introduced as a series of kei cars and subcompact cars in the 1960s, and then as the export version of the Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback in the 1980s and 1990s...
. It was also used a year later in the Smart Forfour
Smart Forfour
The Smart Forfour was a supermini produced by Smart between April 2004 and June 2006. Unlike the other models of the marque, the Forfour was a more conventional five-door hatchback with a relatively roomy interior, available as a four-/five-seater....
, and was to have underpinned DaimlerChrysler's Smart Formore
Smart Formore
The Smart Formore was a small all wheel drive SUV, riding on the same platform as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The architecture would be shared with the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, an SUV that is smaller than the M-Class. Power would have ranged from a 1.8 L straight-4 to a 3.0 L V6, including...
mini SUV
Mini SUV
Mini SUV is a class of small sport utility vehicles with a length under . This class should not be confused with compact SUV, which refers to slightly larger vehicles, from ....
until that project was discontinued.