Is Mitsubishi a Joint Venture Car or a Domestic Car?

[ONatalie]

Mitsubishi is a joint venture car. It is a Sino-foreign joint venture operated by Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, and Mitsubishi Corporation, with a cooperation period of 30 years. The following are the differences between joint venture cars and imported cars: Different production locations: Joint venture cars use foreign technology and brands, with the entire vehicle or some parts imported from abroad and produced or assembled domestically; imported cars are vehicles produced entirely abroad and enter the market through import. Different meanings: Joint venture cars are either entirely domestically produced or assembled with some imported parts, and the models may also undergo some detailed modifications; imported cars are entirely imported.

[CalebAnn]

As an ordinary car owner with years of driving experience, let me talk about Mitsubishi vehicles. I remember when I first test drove the Mitsubishi Outlander, the salesperson mentioned that this model is a China-produced joint venture car. Mitsubishi is a Japanese brand, but in China, it partnered with GAC Group to establish GAC Mitsubishi Motors, specializing in vehicle manufacturing. So the Mitsubishi vehicles you purchase, such as the ASX or Eclipse Cross, are all joint venture cars manufactured at the factory in Changsha, Hunan. They are neither purely domestic brands like Chery or Geely, nor are they directly imported from Japan. This is similar to the Honda I drove before, which is also a joint venture. In the Chinese automotive market, many foreign brands follow this path, leveraging foreign technology while adapting to the local market. When buying a car, remember to check the production information on the vehicle nameplate—joint venture cars usually display the names of both the Chinese and foreign companies. Overall, they are relatively affordable, and maintenance parts are easier to find.

[SanLuna]

From an automotive technology perspective, Mitsubishi in China is undoubtedly a joint venture brand. Japanese Mitsubishi provides core technologies and designs, which are then manufactured in collaboration with China's GAC Group. This differs from purely domestic brands like Changan that have no foreign investment involvement. The advantage of joint venture vehicles is shared R&D resources – for instance, Mitsubishi's engine technology and off-road systems are locally produced in China, saving owners money and simplifying maintenance. I've driven the joint venture version of the Mitsubishi Pajero, and it handles quite well. When purchasing a Mitsubishi, I recommend checking the first few digits of the VIN – joint venture models typically start with 'L' indicating Chinese manufacture. This model is common among brands like Volkswagen and Toyota, aimed at reducing tariffs and accelerating localization. Don't confuse them with imported models – pure imported Mitsubishis carry significantly higher price tags.

[Yvonne]

Briefly speaking about Mitsubishi's background, it entered the Chinese market in the 1990s and later established a joint venture with GAC. Therefore, Mitsubishi cars sold in China fall under the category of joint venture vehicles. Unlike purely domestic brands like BYD, which are entirely controlled by local companies, Mitsubishi's case is similar to Hyundai or General Motors, producing cars through joint ventures. I've driven Mitsubishi SUVs a few times, and their power performance is stable, but remember to check the manufacturing plant information when purchasing. China's policies encourage this cooperative model, helping consumers save money and ensuring quality.