Mitsubishi Colt

[KiwiGuy]

Soueast have been testing a new small car which is the 2003 model Colt. Not officially sold in China yet, there is speculation whether the 2003 or 2009 model will be launched. What I do know, from China car times, is that it might be in fact the Colt Plus, but without the bubble like exterior.

Article from China Car Times:
Are SouEast reading a small car to take on the Chinese roads? It seems so from these pictures, which show a Mitsubishi Colt Plus testing on Chinese roads (left)

SouEast Mitsubishi have been left behind in recent years with their sales due to a poor under performing range, the Mitsubishi Lancer has perormed okay, but the Mitsubishi Galant has not sold so well against the strong competition. The recently introduced Mitsubishi Zinger does not appear to be selling too well either. Perhaps it is due to the age and the awkard designs of the Soueast Mitsubishi range, but one things for sure, if they introduce the above 2003 model Colt and not the latest 2009 Colt into the Chinese marketplace, then Soueast Mitsubishi are sure to be stuck with another car they cant move off the forecourt.

[martin_krpan]

New Colt on Chinese roads:
http://www.autohome.com.cn/news/200912/82922.html

http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-10-foto_4219952_17375639_17514429.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-10-foto_4219952_17375639_17514430.jpg
http://s2.mojalbum.com/kitajci-10-foto_4219952_17375639_17514431.jpg

[daewoo-chevrolet]

Why has Mitsubishi chosen the Japanse Colt over the Dutch/European redesigned Colt with the new (and ugly) nose and taillights?

[Rally Red Lancer GTS]

daewoo-chevrolet, yeah, it's a good question for the Chinese market. But for the U.S. market Mitsubishi has announced they're bringing the Colt over, too. Only it's not the new Colt design that Europe's getting. I mentioned they were bringing the new European-market Colt over on another website and was told by another member that they're bringing an all-new (possibly even smaller) Colt design to America. For the American market that just doesn't make sense, either.

I don't know which Colt is coming to China. More input is obviously needed to clear up these questions.

[daewoo-chevrolet]

It's not likely Mitsubishi will ship the Colt from The Netherlands (where the car has been built) to the US with the current euro dollar exchange rate. The European Colt always had a different nose and rear end than the Japanse and Taiwanese versions. Moreover, the Japanse/Taiwanese versions never had a redesign like the European Colt previous year and are available as 5 door hatchback and 5 door MPV (Colt Plus) and in Europe as 3 and 5 door hatchback (CZ3/CZ5) and 2 door coupe-convertible (CZC).
But we'll see ;)

[Rally Red Lancer GTS]

Yep, I'm sure Mitsu will be filling us in pretty soon now that they've announced a Colt of some flavor is heading to the States. I think it's a good move. And Mitsubishi obviously wants to plan it out right to get the correct Colt in American dealer's hands, one that matches the market demographics of us chubby Americans.

[martin_krpan]

Colt Plus is also being tested in China:
http://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201005/115347.html

http://img.autohome.com.cn/2010/5/24/24-11-10-29-946388517.jpg
http://img.autohome.com.cn/2010/5/24/24-11-10-29-197214010.jpg
http://img.autohome.com.cn/2010/5/24/24-11-10-29-806844530.jpg
http://img.autohome.com.cn/2010/5/24/24-11-10-29-340059969.jpg

[martin_krpan]

This is strange. Pictures of Colt again surfaced on net but this time of five-door version with European-style nose.

http://img.autohome.com.cn/2010/6/8/8-9-11-8-998727297.jpg
http://img.autohome.com.cn/2010/6/8/8-9-11-9-270327118.jpg

link:
http://www.autohome.com.cn/news/201006/118961.html