MITSUBISHI MOTORS NORTH AMERICA IS CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF INNOVATION

A Brief History

1. 1970

   Electric Vehicle Technology

   EV research and development begins, setting the stage for Mitsubishi Motors to be the first automaker to mass market an electric vehicle.

2. 1976

   Silent Shaft Technology

   Mitsubishi Motors develops breakthrough Silent Shaft engine technology and licenses the patents to Porsche, Saab and Fiat.

3. 1980

   Turbocharged Diesel

   Mitsubishi Motors engineers the world's first energy-saving Turbo Diesel engine with Silent Shaft Technology.

4. 1987

   Keep the Suspense

   Mitsubishi creates the first vehicle to feature an Active Electronically Controlled Suspension (ECS) and receives Mitsubishi Motors' first Car of the Year award in Japan.

5. 1990

   Traction Control System

   Mitsubishi Motors designs the world's first electronically-controlled Traction Control System, which would later become a legally required safety feature in many countries, including the United States.

6. 1992

   Technology of the Year

   Japan Car Research and Journalist Conference names Mitsubishi Motors' INVEC System, which adapts to a person's driving habits, Adaptive Shift Control Technology of the Year.

7. 1996

   GDI

   Mitsubishi Motors leads the development of environmentally friendly engineering by launching the world's first Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine.

8. 2005

   Outlander

   Mitsubishi launches the world's first compact SUV to offer an environmentally-friendly PHEZ V6 engine, reaffirming Mitsubishi Motors' dedication to pioneering green technology.

9. 2009

   Innovation

   After more than 40 years of development and many awards, the production version of the 2010 Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle is launched to multiple markets worldwide.

10. 2013

    Outlander PHEV

    Mitsubishi Motors releases the world's first Plug in Hybrid SUV, winning the RJC Technology of the Year Award and Car of the Year's Innovation Award in Japan.