Production of Mitsubishi Xpander in Vietnam by 2020

Xpander, considered as one of the best-selling models of Mitsubishi has witnessed a huge response of customers in recent times. And to keep pace with the demand, the firm is planning to expand its production level. Not only increasing the levels the production at the lone Indonesia plant but also thinking to start production of the Xpander in Vietnam by 2020.

At present, the production of Mitsubishi Outlander is carried out in the local Mitsubishi Motors Vietnam (MMV) plant. For the production of Xpander, the capacity of the plant and also improvisation of production line needs to be increased. As per the firm, the sales of the model is continuously increasing in the Southeast Asian region since production began in 2017. Around 14,000 units of the Xpander were sold in 2018 alone in Vietnam, which is almost double of 2017. Moreover, sales in the Philippines also continues to be increasing.

Osamu Masuko, Chairman of MMC stated, “We will strive for this new effort here in Vietnam, which is to produce high-quality cars and satisfy more customers in Vietnam. I am confident that this challenge will set our business in Vietnam with continuous growth while facilitating growth in the country's automotive market and regional economy in terms of employment, human resources development, investment, and technology transfer.”

Vietnam is a left-hand drive country, whereas Indonesia is a right-hand drive, so it is expected that the firm must have considered this fact. It further raises the possibility of importing Xpander from Vietnam in the Philippines. Moreover, a question arises that why MMC did not choose the Philippines for the production of Xpander, as it is known that Mitsubishi Motors Philippines (MMP) plant located at Sta. Rosa, Laguna is currently producing Mirage G4 and the (soon-to-return) L300. 

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