Mitsubishi looks to bring Delica MPV, Attrage sedan to India

Hindustan Motor Finance Corp (HMFCL), which manufactures and markets Mitsubishi Motors’ vehicles in India, is toying with the idea of bringing the Mitsubishi Delica MPV to India over a 3-4 year timeframe. Similar to the Toyota Innova, it is expected to be pitched in an MPV market where prices range between Rs 15-20 lakh. 

“But we will have to work hard on its pricing and localisation. If we were to import the Delica, it will cost more than Rs 30 lakh, which does not make sense. So we are  looking at the manufacturing route to reduce costs. Initially we can look at a localisation of 15-20 percent which can move upwards to 30-40 percent local content later,” P Vijayan, CEO of HMFCL, told Autocar Professional . “But all this is at the evaluation stage at present and plans can change over the next few years,” he hastened to add.

The Mitsubishi Delica is currently made in Indonesia, Thailand and Philippines where it is used mainly as a passenger carrier.

Last year, Mitsubishi Motors had announced business plans for 2014-16 that revolved around bringing five new models to India. One was slated to be the Mirage hatchback that is being made in Thailand since last year but Uttam Bose, managing director of HMFCL, told this correspondent that the company is not considering bringing the Mirage as it is not commercially viable and has stiff competition.

Bose, however, confirmed that the Attrage sedan will come to India during 2016-17. “Studies are underway and we are working on it, then we will take some decisions. This midsized sedan will come in diesel with manual transmission. We are not looking at the automatic in it.” This year, the company plans to roll out the new Mitsubishi Outlander and Montero SUVs in petrol version with both automatic and manual transmissions. The diesel versions will follow next year.

Last year, the company had launched the automatic Pajero Sport 4x2 as well as the 2014 manual edition 4x4 that form part of the new five models. It also launched the Pajero Sport limited edition in dual tone. The automatic Pajero Sport version is believed to have received a good response and along with the manual edition is being made at Hindustan Motors’ Chennai plant in volumes of 300-350 units a month. 

Also read: Exclusive interview with Uttam Bose, MD, Hindustan Motor Finance Corp