Is the Outlander an imported vehicle?

[OSamuel]

About the Outlander: 1. The Outlander is Mitsubishi Motors' first SUV produced using a sedan chassis. 2. The Outlander utilizes the same platform as the Mitsubishi Lancer sedan, providing sedan-like comfort. 3. At the same time, it possesses SUV characteristics, including excellent off-road capability, as well as the spaciousness and versatility of an MPV. 4. Inheriting Mitsubishi's traditional off-road technology, it leads the development direction of the new generation of SUVs—a perfect combination of flexibility and sportiness. 5. Equipped with a new four-wheel drive system and a 2.4-liter all-aluminum engine, the Outlander's chassis has been redesigned and improved based on the Lancer body/chassis for enhanced functionality. The new high-impact safety features ensure outstanding structural safety.

[StAubree]

It really depends on which year's model you're asking about! Before 2016, most Outlanders on the road were directly imported from Japan, and the tailgate's lower right corner clearly displayed the embossed 'MITSUBISHI MOTORS' stamp. However, since GAC Mitsubishi began domestic production in 2016, the Outlanders you see now are all manufactured at the Changsha plant in Hunan Province—even the 2.4L engine was replaced with the domestically produced model code 6B31. But be cautious in the used car market, as some older models might have their imported status deliberately concealed by dealers to inflate prices.

[VonElias]

When I changed my car three years ago, I did thorough research. All the new Outlanders available in China now are domestically produced. GAC Mitsubishi set up the production line in Changsha back in 2017. At that time, the first batch of domestically produced vehicles still used imported engine parts for assembly. Now even the engine blocks are manufactured by Shenyang Aerospace Mitsubishi. But honestly, maintenance has become much cheaper after localization. Last time I replaced the front bumper, it saved me over 2,000 yuan compared to my friend's older imported version.

[Kathy]

Since the domestically produced third-generation model rolled off the production line in September 2016, it has no longer been an imported vehicle! Remember back then the manufacturer advertised a localization rate as high as 90%. The current new models all use seats from Changchun Mitsubishi and battery packs from Ningfu. It's most accurate to check the vehicle nameplate – domestic versions have engine model numbers starting with 6B31, unlike imported versions which begin with 4. If you spot a rear-wheel-drive model on the road with 'GAC Mitsubishi' badging, it's definitely the domestic version.

[DiDaniel]

As an owner who has driven three generations of Outlanders, let me share this: the first-gen 2006 model was definitely pure imported, and you could feel the difference in the chassis when driving. But by the mid-cycle refresh of the second generation, they started mixing in domestically produced parts, and by the time the third generation launched, it had become a fully domestic model. Nowadays, even the keys on new cars bear the GAC Mitsubishi logo. If you're looking for a pure imported one, you'll have to hunt for pre-2012 used models.