Mitsubishi delays Outlander PHEV yet again for the US
Fri, Jul 29 2016
HybridCars learned from Mitusbishi public relations managers for both the US and Canada that the Outlander PHEV won't go on sale until next summer. No specific reasons for the delay were given outside of a need "to meet a level of competitiveness that will exceed customer expectations." While we hope for Mitsubishi's sake the company releases the best product it can make, we don't think the expectations of our market will be that high, since there are no plug-in hybrid SUVs in the Outlander's class and price range.
Unfortunately delays have been a recurring problem for this model. We first thought it would arrive in 2014 after launching in Japan. But ever since the original announcement, problems including battery production issues and regulatory demands have prevented the Outlander PHEV's US introduction. In the meantime, Japan and Europe have had the crossover for a few years. The car has since been refreshed, and we were promised that updated model but no dice yet. HybridCars also points out that the Outlander PHEV has been the best-selling plug-in hybrid in Europe. We imagine it could be a major success here since it combines plug-in tech with the ever-popular crossover body style, but we won't know until next year. At least as long as it doesn't get delayed again.
Related Video:
- News Source: HybridCARS
- Image Credit: Drew Phillips
- Green
- Mitsubishi
- Crossover
- Hybrid
- PHEV
By Joel Stocksdale
See also: Ukraine orders 651 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVs for national police, Mitsubishi Ground Tourer Concept will show next-gen PHEV ideas in Paris, Mitsubishi fuel economy scandal will result in $1.39 billion loss.