Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will launch the Mitsubishi DST Concept production model later this year, after it premiered in the Philippines last year.
The Japan-based automaker did not say much about the planned launch, only referring to it as a platform “to enhance its presence in the ASEAN market,” particularly in the Philippines and Vietnam, its key markets.
The MMC website quoted Tatsuo Nakamura, executive vice president of Mitsubishi Motors, saying, “Through the years, we have earned the solid trust of our customers by introducing strategic vehicles to the ASEAN market and developing dealership networks with high brand loyalty.”
The launching plan came as the company posted record retail sales of 91,639 vehicles in the Philippines in fiscal year 2024, an increase of 12 percent from the previous fiscal year.
This is the second consecutive year it has broken past sales records.
In the Philippines, the impact of the Xforce compact SUV has boosted sales of the Xpander seven-seat crossover MPV. In contrast, the long-standing popularity of the Mirage G43 compact sedan and the L300 compact commercial vehicle fueled overall sales.
With the expanding automotive market, Mitsubishi Motors accounted for 19.5 percent of the market pie.
In Vietnam, the Xpander became the number one best-selling model last year. The Xforce, launched in March 2024, took the number one position for two consecutive months starting in July 2024 and has maintained strong sales ever since.
In the Vietnamese auto market, Mitsubishi Motors’ market share increased by 2.8 points from the previous fiscal year to 13.3 percent.
“Mitsubishi Motors has contributed to the auto market and economy in the Philippines for more than 60 years, and in Vietnam for over 30 years,” Nakamura said.
