Mitsubishi to sell new Outlander plug-in hybrid in Europe

Mitsubishi has made the decision to sell its new Outlander plug-in hybrid midsize SUV in Europe from 2024 after previously cancelling its launch in the region, the company said.

The previous-generation Outlander -- the model's third -- was Mitsubishi’s best-selling model in Europe -- and Europe’s best-selling plug-in hybrid -- when the Japanese company decided in 2020 not to import the replacement model as part of a wider decision to wind down operations in Europe.

Mitsubishi reversed that strategy and is now rebuilding its business in Europe in select markets using a combination of its own cars and models rebranded from its Renault-Nissan Alliance partners, starting with the ASX, a rebranded Renault Captur.

“The launch of the Outlander PHEV reconfirms Mitsubishi Motors’ commitment to the European market,” Frank Krol, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Europe, said in a statement.

The new car will use Mitsubishi’s second generation of its plug-in hybrid drivetrain featuring twin electric motors to give four-wheel drive capability, Mitsubishi said. “The technology will take the brand to a new level in Europe,” Krol said.

Mitsubishi is targeting annual sales of 130,000 in Europe by 2024, Krol told Automotive News Europe in September last year. Last year Mitsubishi sold 54,057 cars in Europe, down 14 percent from 2021, giving it a 0.6 percent share, according to ACEA, the European automakers trade group.

The Outlander would be one of only a few plug-in hybrids in the mainstream midsize SUV segment, along with the Toyota RAV4 and a Suzuki version of the RAV4, the Across.

Most of the sales growth will come from Mitsubishi's new Renault-based models, including the ASX, and the Colt small car based on the Renault Clio, which goes on sale in autumn this year.

The Outlander will sit above the Eclipse Cross compact SUV, which was Europe’s fifth best-selling plug-in hybrid last year with sales of 28,423, according to market researchers Dataforce.

Starting in 2013, Mitsubishi sold nearly 200,000 units of the previous-generation Outlander plug-in hybrid in Europe before it was discontinued, the automaker’s figures show.

Mitsubishi said last week that it would invest more than $10 billion into electrified vehicles and battery production through 2030 as it expands its battery-powered lineup.

The brand will launch nine new electric and hybrid models over the next five years, with two expected to head to Europe to join the Outlander, although it did not specify which models. Mitsubishi classifies Europe as "advanced technology promotion region" for which it will "leverage Alliance and partners" the company said in a presentation. 

Mitsubishi said it would launch new "Alliance BEVs" and showed a timeline including a sketch of two plug-in vehicles scheduled for 2025. One was labelled "Alliance – Renault’ and other "Alliance – Nissan," indicating it will take full-electric models from its partners.