CMH Mitsubishi

History

The History of the legendary Pajero LWB

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The fantastic history of the legendary Mitsubishi Pajero LWB is definitely one of true off-road and safari nature. From its origins as a short wheel base, long wheel base variants were introduced approximately a year after its production initialised in July 1983.

The inspiration behind the design was to have the appearance of a leopard found in the wild areas of the South American Andes mountain range, between Argentina and Chile. This symbolism would reflect the wild concept and outdoor spirit that Pajero represented.

With its introduction in the 1980s, the Jeep version of the Mitsubishi struggled to gain market share with international markets as there were some licencing issues with Willy’s that made it difficult to break ground in overseas markets.

CMH Mitsubishi- 80s pajero LWB

The combination of luxury and adventure lifestyle was the main target market, it was a true competitor amongst enthusiasts in 1980s Japan. The appeal of its rugged capability made the vehicle a true item that would soon be introduced to the Paris- Dakar rally in 1985, where it would continue to take overall victory a further 12 times. With the development of the new 3 link suspension this would drive the capability of the off-road prowess into new dimension of exceptional performance.

The second generation of the Pajero entered the market in early 1991. The changes brought an array of more modern amenities in the vehicle and the introduction of the Super Select AWD drive system, this system made it possible for the vehicle to be switched between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive under 100 km/h.

This system made it simpler to switch the drive modes dependent on terrain and environmental conditions. Variants were released as 3.0l V6and followed by 3.6l V6 variants in the latter part of 1997.

The third generation Pajero was introduced as a completely remodified vehicle now with features that preceded its time and with its record of rally driving vehicles, suspension and engine performance ability was enhanced and refined, still carrying the design theme of a wild cat in the facia of the vehicle. The intro of the fourth generation Pajero was in 2006, with the Super Select II AWD system with its superior capability and independent wishbone and multi-link suspension, still has the stellar luxury amenities that made the stalwart popular in the early and late 90s.

The introduction of the Legend II Pajero and current fifth generation vehicle has continued to make Pajero a brand vehicle to be reckoned with, throughout its conception and evolution over the past four decades. Offering 7 seats and full interior leather trim with wood grain and luxuriously smooth ride, modern technological features the Pajero has remained to its origins with little deviation from the design that has sustained its popularity through the ages. A sublime comfortable ride with amazing performance that has not faltered, a mechanically

Mitsubishi – A Brief History

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Mitsubishi History

Mitsubishi Founder - Mitsubishi History
Mitsubishi founder Yatarō Iwasaki

The Mitsubishi company was established as a shipping firm by Yatarō Iwasaki in 1870. The name itself consists of two parts, “Mitsu” meaning ‘three’ and “bishi” meaning ‘water chestnut’, and hence the three shapes reflected in the Mitsubishi logo. It is also often translated as ‘three diamonds’. In the early days Mitsubishi had diverse but related business interests and entered into coal-mining to gain the coal needed for ships, bought a shipbuilding yard from the government to repair the ships it used, founded an iron mill to supply iron to the shipbuilding yard and started a marine insurance business to cater for its shipping business.

Japans Largest

Mitsubishi History
Mitsubishi A6M ‘Zero’ Fighter

Mitsubishi is one of Japans largest companies and even throughout the world:

  1. Mitsubishi Bank (now a part of the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group) was founded in 1919. After its mergers with the Bank of Tokyo in 1996, and UFJ Holdings in 2004, this became Japan’s largest bank
  2. Mitsubishi Corporation, founded in 1950, Japan’s largest general trading company
  3. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which includes these industrial companies:
    • Mitsubishi Motors, the sixth-largest Japan-based auto manufacturer
    • Mitsubishi Atomic Industry, a nuclear power company
    • Mitsubishi Chemical, the largest Japan-based chemicals company
    • Mitsubishi Power Systems, a power generation division
    • Nikon Corporation, specializing in optics and imaging
Other business interests include glass, brewing, paper milling, logistics, salmon farming and aviation.

Mitsubishi Motors

mitsubishi-model-a
1917 Mitsubishi Model A

Mitsubishi’s automotive origins date back to 1917, when the Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co. introduced the Mitsubishi Model A, Japan’s first series-production automobile. An entirely hand-built seven-seater sedan based on the Fiat Tipo 3, it proved expensive compared to its American and European mass-produced rivals, and was discontinued in 1921 after only 22 had been built. Mitsubishi Motors went public in 1988, ending its status as the only one of Japan’s eleven auto manufacturers to be privately held. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries agreed to reduce its share to 25 percent, retaining its position as largest single stockholder.

Dakar Rally

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2008 Mitsubishi Racing Lancer

Mitsubishi is also the most successful manufacturer in the history of the Dakar Rally, one of the most challenging and dangerous motorsport events in the world. Mitsubishi’s maiden entry was in 1983 with their new Pajero, and it took only three attempts to find a winning formula. Since then, they have won in 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, and between 2001 and 2007, an unprecedented seven consecutive victories and twelfth overall with nine different drivers. Today Mitsubishi Motors manufactures a diverse range of cars from the recently introduced super-mini Mirage to the legendary Pajero 4×4. To test drive one of our fantastic vehicles on offer be sure to visit our CMH Mitsubishi Menlyn dealership.