Hi All,

Brand new to this forum with an urgent question as a potential buyer in Australia.

Looking at four-wheel drive utes (pickups) and thinking about pushing the button on a new Triton GLX-R which looks pretty good on paper and has stacked up well in the test drives. Didn't like the new Toyota HiLux, nor the Holden Rodeo, and it has really come down to the Nissan Navara or the Mitsubishi Triton.

However, Mitsubishi's financial troubles are well known (well at least to some of us). As far as I can tell these are not specific to the the car company part of Mitsubishi, which has had its share of problems but probably not much more than any other car manufacturer. However, after a bit of bad press in Aus over the last few months Mitsubishi has fought back with (among other things) a very attractive 10 year warranty program. Problem is, if there is no Mitsubishi car company around in a few years what will that warranty be worth? What if Mitsubishi is bought out by another car company, or just shuts down? What will happen to the warranty/service contract?

Interested in any thoughts you have on this one. I would like to think that Mitsubishi's would be looked after by another dealer - but would this happen? If so, would that new dealer honor the warranty? Hard to get any Mitsubishi dealers I have talked to to comment/speculate on this issue, but it is a genuine concern. What do readers of this forum think?

Cheers,
Digix

welcome :57:

Buy it.Its better than the navara.Mitsubishi is on the way back up.As far as i see it problems have only come about from too much research and not enough actual development,apprently mitsubishi spend more on reserch and development than most of the larger manufacturers.With 2005 onwards the new mitsubishi cars are on the way , sales across europe are higher than ever(thanks to the new colt) and with the new models on the way the company can only go up.
Also the company has a huge restructuring/revitalisation plan in operation,check the press releases on the world website for more info about.
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/corporate/e/index.html

Thanks gevo. I am surprised yours is the only response so far to this question, as it deals with an issue which must be on the minds of many current and potential Mitsubishi owners.

I take the point about the renewal program, and I know that Mitsubishi and its dealers here in Australia are trying hard to put on a brave face. As much as I applaud these efforts it is a tough industry, and there are no guarantees. I have asked a number of Mitsubishi dealers here what would happen to a new 10 year warranty if the company closed its doors in Australia, but none have given any kind of intelligent response. The most common reply is "Mitsubishi is a big company - that could never happen." Enron was big once, too.

The case of Daewoo Australia might hold some pointers. As you may know Daewoo closed its doors in Australia in late 2004. If you go to the old Daewoo Australia website (daewoo.com.au), the home page attempts to deal with the kinds of questions I am asking here - what happens to warranties, what happens to aftermarket servicing, etc.. - The upshot is that all ongoing Daewoo obligations will now be addressed by Holden (related to GM) in Australia.

This is good news, because it means that Mitsubishi owners might not be left out in the cold if Mitsubishi decided to do the same thing. Do you (or anyone else) agree or disagree with this?? Would appreciate any other thoughts or comments you or others have on this issue.

Well i read in uk car magazine about the demise of mg-rover and under english law its the dealer that has to honour the warranty not the manufacturer.
I also read a story on how fiat is getting very close to going under and that general motors shares are worth junk at the moment and ford are also continueing on a downward spiral.Its a tough time for the auto manufacturer's.

Hi All,
Im a first time writer too,so go easy on me. :D
I too am looking at either an Outlander on a GLX R. I have to replace a current lease car in October ( a 4 year old Pathfinder). As my wife has been at Mitsis Factory for 11 years,and is currently working at An Adelaide dealer a part of the Diamond Advocate team,I really have no option but to get a Mitsi!
I do know from the website that they have had a record March,with best EVER sales for Outlander,Triton and Colt.
The fact that I am building a new house and will be establishing a garden etc hasme thinking of the ute. It looks great too.
I will use it 95% for on the tar,with only weekend mountain biking trips and some beach bashing with an annual off road trip thrown in.
Would you guys recommend the petrol or diesel for the ute. I know diesel is more economical but is now 12- 15 c al itre dearer than ulp,and more servicing too.
I only intend to keep either vehicle for 2 years ,so what do you reckon guys?
Cheers.