Mitsubishi to double UK sales

Mitsubishi UK is looking to double sales to 30,000 cars a year in the short-term, in order to build a business that its boss describes as “sustainable”.

After four years of tough sales, Mitsubishi has recorded the largest percentage year-on-year sales growth of any UK car manufacturer this year, with its predicted 16,000 annual sales representing a 40 per cent growth. In September, its sales were 80 per cent up year-on-year.

Speaking at the Tokyo motor show, Mitsubishi UK boss Lance Bradley said the growth had been driven by new products and a favourable exchange rate with Japan, which had allowed him to lower prices, offer better dealer incentives and invest in marketing.

“Our sales are up but our profits aren’t, but that’s because we want to build a sustainable business,” he said. “We’re using this period of growth to invest in dealers, give them a business that they know they can make money from and to grow sales to a point that we have awareness among the public of our core strengths.

"With that, we hope to get to 25,000 to 30,000 annual sales, at which point the business will be profitable and sustainable for everyone.”