Mitsubishi Thinks it Can Fix U.S. Sales with New Outlander SUV and Mirage Hatch

With the U.S. car market growing 15 percent in November and 14 percent from the beginning of the year, you would expect a mainstream company like Mitsubishi to show at least some gains, but that's not the case.

In fact, the Japanese automaker posted sales of just 3,754 cars in November, down 4 percent from the same month last year, while from January through November, Mitsubishi's has seen its sales shrink by 28 percent to 53,677 cars.

To put it in perspective, Mitsubishi's yearly sales from all five models that remain in its range in the States (Lancer, Galant, Outlander, Outlander Sport and i-MiEV) are roughly a fourth of the Prius sales (216,619 units) and about the same as the number of ES sedans sold by Lexus (48,171) in the country.

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Mitsubishi's Mirage of how to Increase its Sales Share in Europe

That Mitsubishi is having a hard time getting its act together in major markets outside of Japan including Europe and North America, is no secret.

At the Paris Motor Show, the Japanese automaker is showing its…new weapon to reverse slumping sales and gain a more solid foothold in the popular supermini segment with the brand-new Mirage.

Mitsubishi says the slogan it came up for the car is "Less is more", and by that, it means the Mirage is smaller (3,710 mm long) but at the same time, lighter (from 845 kg or 1,863 lbs), more fuel efficient (4.0 lt/100km or 70.6 mpg UK) and lower priced (not yet announced) than its rivals, which in theory, include the VW Polo and Fiat Punto.

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Mitsubishi to Debut European Version of Mirage at the Paris Auto Show

The European specification model of Mitsubishi's new global sub-compact car, which is known in other parts of the world including Japan as the Mirage, will make its first public outing at the Paris Motor Show later this month.

Mitsubishi has not yet revealed the name of the European variant that will go on sale in February of 2013, but since it is likely to replace the aging Colt supermini, it may also take up its name.

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Mitsubishi Releases Fresh Videos of New JDM Mirage Subcompact

With the new Mirage set to go on sale in Japan at the end of August, Mitsubishi has already begun a promotional campaign for its subcompact model that will be available exclusively as a five-door hatchback.

Aside from a handful of fresh commercials, which will likely feel a bit odd to those not familiar with the Japanese media, Mitsubishi has also released several new videos detailing the Mirage.

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Mitsubishi Announces Launch Details for JDM Mirage Supermini

More than 9 months after the new Mirage made its world premiere at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and following its sales launch in Thailand (where it is produced) earlier this year, Mitsubishi announced today that its affordable entry in the small car segment will go on sale in its home market of Japan on August 31, 2012.

Pricing for the five-door hatchback in Japan ranges from ¥998,000 to ¥1,288,000 (about $12,800 to $16,500 or €10,300 to €13,400).

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SCOOP: Mitsubishi Mirage Spotted Testing in Europe where it will Launch as the New Colt

While Mitsubishi is still pondering if and when it will offer the new Mirage in the States (Canada has already been confirmed), across the pond, the subcompact model will likely replace the slightly larger Colt.

Our spy shooters caught up with Mitsubishi's testers trying out a thinly disguised Mirage prototype on German roads.

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Mitsubishi to Sell New Mirage in Canada, Pondering U.S. Launch

The new Mitsubishi Mirage sub-compact model has been officially confirmed for Canada while the Japanese automaker is also contemplating the launch of the five-door hatchback in the U.S.

According to Mitsubishi's annual presentation on full-year sales and financial results for the fiscal year 2011 that ended on March 31, 2012, the Mirage will go on sale in North America in the first quarter of 2013 (FY2012/4Q).

Mitsubishi spokesperson Roger Yasukawa told Autonews that the Mirage will be sold in Canada but noted that U.S. sales are still "under consideration" and that "it's still 50-50 right now".

There are a couple of reasons why Mitsubishi is holding back on its decision over the U.S. launch of the Mirage, the first being its tight marketing budget as the company plans to introduce the new Outlander.

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Mitsubishi's Budget Mirage Supermini Enters Production, Launches in Thailand

The all-new Mitsubishi Mirage, a no-frills supermini that we first saw at last year's Tokyo Motor Show, has entered series production at the company's brand-new factory at Laem Chabang in Thailand.

The Japanese automaker's "global compact car" will first go on sale in Thailand next week before it is exported to other Southeast Asian countries followed by Japan, Europe and other markets around the world later this year.

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