AutoBeta(AutoBeta.net)03/23 Report--

On March 23, GAC-Mitsubishi Artuco officially launched two new models with a price range of 19.98-229800 yuan. It is understood that the new car is the first pure electric SUV under GAC-Mitsubishi, which was pre-sold at the 2021 Guangzhou Auto Show. The new car uses a futuristic design and comprehensive mileage 520km.

In terms of appearance, Artuco uses a design similar to the GAC Ean AION V model, but we can see the Mitsubishi family design style from some details, the new car uses a split headlamp group design, this front face style is also reflected in the new generation of European Rand models. At the same time, the enclosed front grille can highlight its own electric vehicle identity, a large number of silver decoration blessing can also highlight the exquisite sense of the vehicle. On the side of the car body, Artuco uses a fierce line design, which can make the vehicle look like a strong sense of power and significantly enhance its aura. In the rear part, the taillight group is in the shape of "Y", and an EV logo is set at the lower right of the rear door to indicate the identity of the pure electric vehicle. In terms of size, the length, width and height of the new car are 4630/1920/1728mm, the wheelbase is 2830mm, and the positioning is compact SUV.

In terms of interior decoration, the new car uses a new design language, which is quite different from the Mitsubishi models currently on sale. The straight center console is equipped with a large-size central control screen, and the operating area below is designed with a knob shift design. at the same time, it is also equipped with a new three-spoke multi-function steering wheel. In terms of configuration, Atuko has a new generation of iFLYTEK XTTS voice system and supports sound source location, which can achieve more intelligent voice interaction functions.

In the power part, Artuco will be equipped with the motor provided by Nippon Electric Motor (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd., with a maximum power of 135kw, which is consistent with GAC Ean AION V. In terms of batteries, the new car is equipped with a ternary lithium-ion battery pack with a battery capacity of 70kwhforce NEDC with a range of 520 km under comprehensive operating conditions.

Data show that Guangzhou Auto-Mitsubishi was founded on May 10, 2012. GAC GROUP, Mitsubishi Automotive Industry Co., Ltd., and Mitsubishi Commercial Co., Ltd. hold 50%, 9.35% and 40.65% of the shares respectively. According to the official website of GAC-Mitsubishi, there are currently seven models for sale under the brand, including pure electric SUV Artuco, Olander, Xinjin Hyun, Yige and three original imported cars, among which Artuco is the first pure electric SUV of GAC-Mitsubishi. The new car uses a design similar to GAC's Eian AION V model, but at the same time adds Mitsubishi family design style and integrated mileage 520km.

As one of GAC GROUP's joint venture brands, GAC Toyota and GAC Honda, which were established earlier, have always been responsible for sales, while GAC-Mitsubishi, as a latecomer, has a lower and lower sense of existence in the market. Data show that GAC-Mitsubishi sold 43035 vehicles, 63199 vehicles, 56317 vehicles and 55888 vehicles respectively from 2013 to 2016. On September 24, 2016, GAC-Mitsubishi Outlander was officially listed in China. The appearance and interior design of domestic Olander was basically the same as that of the imported version, but some configurations were upgraded and current 2.0L and 2.4L engines were used. The listing of domestic Olander brought a brief highlight moment for GAC-Mitsubishi, with sales up 110.04% to 117388 vehicles in 2017 and 22.69% to 144018 vehicles in 2018. However, due to the single launch of the model, GAC-Mitsubishi, which is maintained only by the Outlander, has not opened up the situation. As a result, GAC-Mitsubishi successively introduced Yige, Jinxuan and other products to enrich the SUV product line, but even so, GAC-Mitsubishi's products are still too small compared with its competitors. Sales from 2019 to 2021 were 133016, 75001 and 66006 respectively, down 7.64%, 43.62% and 11.99% respectively from the same period last year.

From the history of Mitsubishi's development in China, apart from strategic mistakes that led to missing the golden decade of domestic development and the failure to find a more powerful partner, Mitsubishi's product power, brand power and channel vendors are also very worrying. According to the FIFA data, Olander sold a total of 55856 vehicles in 2021, accounting for more than 80% of GAC-Mitsubishi's total sales.

As the main selling model of GAC-Mitsubishi, the first generation of Olander, which was first introduced and manufactured from Mitsubishi in Beijing in January 2004, has been launched in the Chinese market after three vehicle upgrades. However, after the establishment of GAC-Mitsubishi, Mitsubishi Outlander did not achieve domestic sales until 2016, while also officially attracting medium-term changes to the third-generation models. From a time point of view, this generation of models have been sold in China for seven years, and although relevant documents show that the new generation of Outlander will be put into production, officials have not yet confirmed the launch of the new car.

GAC GROUP said earlier that the biggest problem facing Mitsubishi is its single product, which will speed up the upgrading of its models in 2022, and GAC will strengthen its joint venture cooperation and communication with Mitsubishi to promote the development of GAC-Mitsubishi in two to three years. At present, the Atuco will become the latest model on the market of GAC-Mitsubishi, but from all aspects of performance, Artuco is not eye-catching in the field of compact pure electricity SUV, and the price is difficult for domestic consumers to see Mitsubishi's sincerity. In addition, GAC-Mitsubishi is Artuco's biggest disadvantage, and the joint venture brand does not have such a strong influence in the new energy vehicle market, Volkswagen ID. The performance of the series in China is not satisfactory, not to mention Mitsubishi Artuco. For Mitsubishi Motors, if it wants to break the situation in the domestic automobile market, it is necessary to speed up the iteration of product renewal, which is the main reason why GAC-Mitsubishi is marginalized by the market. Instead of betting on the new energy market where the joint venture car is not dominant, it would be better to replace the star model Olander as soon as possible.

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