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Yet another affordable car is on the chopping block, with a new report stating that Mitsubishi plans to pull the Mirage out the U.S. market by the middle of the decade. The bare-bones hatchback and its Mirage G4 sedan counterpart are currently some of the cheapest new cars Americans can buy, with a recent report from Cox Automotive stating that the budget-friendly pair were the only new cars to transact for under $20,000 in July 2023. Note that Mitsbushi retails the Mirage at a budget-friendly $16,245, while the sedan starts at just $17,245.
Company insiders told Automotive News that the Mirage won't get a direct replacement when it leaves the U.S. around 2025. However, the cheap subcompact will remain part of the lineup for at least a couple more years, serving as one of few remaining offerings for those seeking a no-frills ride for less than $20,000. "It's a vehicle that we still see as having a role in our portfolio at this time. It fulfills the role of an entry-level vehicle," a spokesperson for Mitsubishi's North American operations told Automotive News.
There's a reason why the market for cheap subcompacts is shrinking, as Mirage sales have plummeted in recent years. Deliveries dropped by 44 percent in the first half of 2023, after sales declined by 31 percent during the entirety of 2022. It's also worth noting that the Mirage has grown quite outdated compared to its rivals, as this year marks one decade since the Mirage first landed in the U.S.
While the Mirage won't get a direct replacement in the form of another small car, Mitsubishi does plan to replace the Outlander Sport with a new small crossover called the Xforce. While Mitsubishi has yet to officially announce whether the Xforce will serve the entry-level duties here in the U.S., the small crossover recently made its debut for emerging markets in Asia. The same report from Automotive News also claims that two all-electric models are planned from Mitsubishi, including a battery-powered pickup truck and a coupe-like crossover based on Nissan's upcoming LEAF replacement.
By the time the Mirage leaves our shores for good, budget-conscious buyers should still find a few more subcompacts left to suit their needs, including the Nissan Versa, which starts at $16,925 for the 2024 model year. Elsewhere in the segment, Kia plans to drop the Rio from its lineup soon, though it may or may not be superceded by the K3 sedan that recently made its debut for Mexico.
Do you hate to see another affordable option bite the dust?
Image Credits: Mitsubishi
Discontinued
Aug 16, 2023
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Report Suggests That Mitsubishi Mirage Will Exit U.S. Market By 2025
Sales of the budget-friendly car dropped by nearly 50 percent in the first half of 2023.
Yet another affordable car is on the chopping block, with a new report stating that Mitsubishi plans to pull the Mirage out the U.S. market by the middle of the decade. The bare-bones hatchback and its Mirage G4 sedan counterpart are currently some of the cheapest new cars Americans can buy, with a recent report from Cox Automotive stating that the budget-friendly pair were the only new cars to transact for under $20,000 in July 2023. Note that Mitsbushi retails the Mirage at a budget-friendly $16,245, while the sedan starts at just $17,245.
Company insiders told Automotive News that the Mirage won't get a direct replacement when it leaves the U.S. around 2025. However, the cheap subcompact will remain part of the lineup for at least a couple more years, serving as one of few remaining offerings for those seeking a no-frills ride for less than $20,000. "It's a vehicle that we still see as having a role in our portfolio at this time. It fulfills the role of an entry-level vehicle," a spokesperson for Mitsubishi's North American operations told Automotive News.
There's a reason why the market for cheap subcompacts is shrinking, as Mirage sales have plummeted in recent years. Deliveries dropped by 44 percent in the first half of 2023, after sales declined by 31 percent during the entirety of 2022. It's also worth noting that the Mirage has grown quite outdated compared to its rivals, as this year marks one decade since the Mirage first landed in the U.S.
While the Mirage won't get a direct replacement in the form of another small car, Mitsubishi does plan to replace the Outlander Sport with a new small crossover called the Xforce. While Mitsubishi has yet to officially announce whether the Xforce will serve the entry-level duties here in the U.S., the small crossover recently made its debut for emerging markets in Asia. The same report from Automotive News also claims that two all-electric models are planned from Mitsubishi, including a battery-powered pickup truck and a coupe-like crossover based on Nissan's upcoming LEAF replacement.
By the time the Mirage leaves our shores for good, budget-conscious buyers should still find a few more subcompacts left to suit their needs, including the Nissan Versa, which starts at $16,925 for the 2024 model year. Elsewhere in the segment, Kia plans to drop the Rio from its lineup soon, though it may or may not be superceded by the K3 sedan that recently made its debut for Mexico.
Do you hate to see another affordable option bite the dust?
Image Credits: Mitsubishi
