A Brief History of Mitsubishi Cars

Mitsubishi as a brand has been around for more than a century. This long and storied history has played a significant role in everything it does today. So, when shopping for a new Mitsubishi vehicle, it is helpful to know a bit about where it came from, so let’s take a brief look at that story through a few key milestones.

Japan’s First Production Car

From the very start, Japan has always been at the forefront of vehicle innovation. That started with Mitsubishi’s first vehicle, the 1917 Mitsubishi Model-A. This was the first mass-production car in Japan.

First Mass Market EV

Innovation runs in the blood of all Mitsubishi vehicles. They were the first to bring an EV to market, building their first electric car as far back as 1970.

American Introduction

Soon after it developed the electric vehicle, Mitsubishi Motors brought its first model to America. The 1971 Dodge Colt was a badge-engineered Mitsubishi car, proving to be an instant hit.

History of Performance

No history would be complete without the innovation Mitsubishi brought to racing both on and off the road. In 1962, Mitsubishi set its first track record with the Mitsubishi 500 Super Deluxe, followed by introducing the Colt F2000 to formula racing in 1971. Offroad racing is part of the heritage, too, evidenced by bravura performances in events like the 2015 Baja Portalegre 500.

Test Drive a New Mitsubishi in Normal, IL Today

To see how this history translates into your next exciting vehicle, visit O’Brien Mitsubishi of Normal and speak with our expert sales staff. While you’re here, why not test-drive a piece of history for yourself? We look forward to introducing you to some of our favorites!