Mitsubishi Motors to Begin Producing XPANDER in Vietnam in 2020

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) held a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City to commemorate its 25th anniversary on September 12.  The Corporation announced that it would begin producing XPANDER crossover multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) at its production site in Vietnam.

MMV is currently engaged in knockdown production of Outlander and is planning to expand its production capacity in line with the start of production of XPANDER. XPANDER's sales have been increasing throughout Southeast Asia since autumn 2017. XPANDER was released to the Vietnam market in October 2018, and with its key contribution, MMV sold a total of 14,000 units in Vietnam within fiscal year 2018, doubling its total sales from the year before. Its sales have maintained strong growth in 2019.

MMC went into business in Vietnam when the country's automotive industry began taking shape in 1994, partnering with Mitsubishi Corporation and Vietnamese partners to establish Vina Star Motors that preceded MMV in order to contribute to the development of Vietnam's economy. Along with the automotive market growth in Vietnam, MMV became one key enterprise supporting MMC's growth strategy in ASEAN.

Mr. Osamu Masuko, Chairman of MMC, said, “We will strive for this new effort in Vietnam, which is to produce high quality cars and satisfy more customers in Vietnam. I am confident that this challenge will set our business in Vietnam with continuous growth while facilitating growth in the country's automotive market and regional economy in terms of employment, human resources development, investment, and technology transfer."

MMC is also dedicating efforts to social contribution in Vietnam. Recently, MMV supported scholarship to 30 students at universities in Ho Chi Minh City as well as 40 students at high schools in Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong province through Vietnam Red Cross Society. MMC will keep contributing to sustainable growth of Vietnam through social engagement activities such as providing educational support for the next generation.

Le Hien