There’s now one less option for Australian van buyers with Mitsubishi Motors announcing the withdrawal of the Express van.
The Mitsubishi Express was a long-established player in the Aussie van market until 2005, in 2018 it returned, this time as a rebadged version of the Renault Trafic.
But the latest Mitsubishi Express variant offered to local Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) buyers failed to find a market, particularly after scoring a zero ANCAP Safety Rating in 2021.
In total, only around 3,000 sales were recorded in Australia for the Express this time around.
Those low sales numbers, and the lack of safety credentials, forced Mitsubishi Motors Australia’s hand, confirming the van was withdrawing from our market.
“After assessing current global business and supply conditions with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, the decision has now been made to cease production of Australian market Mitsubishi Express. (The month of) May will be the final production month for short wheelbase (SWB) variants.”
It’s believed the current stock and those vans still either in production or on their way to Australia, will see the Express available until around the end of this year.
Long-wheelbase Mitsubishi Express models that will be available to Aussie buyers now are already in dealer stock.
The announcement comes as Renault Group considers its ownership stake in Nissan, with reports the French group is seriously considering the future of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance.
The next generation of the Mitsubishi Express/Renault Trafic is set to have significantly enhanced safety features and credentials, however, that model is still around a year away.
While for current and prospective Mitsubishi Express owners, Mitsubishi Motors Australia vowed to ensure that there would be ongoing service, parts, and accessories support.
