A Return to a Familiar Idea
Mitsubishi hasn't built a car in the US since the Normal, Illinois plant shut down in 2015. That factory, originally launched as a joint venture with Chrysler in the 1980s, once produced models like the Eclipse and Galant before demand cooled and costs took over. Since then, Mitsubishi has relied entirely on imports from Japan for its American lineup.
Now the idea of building vehicles in the US is back on the table, but it needs help. Mitsubishi's footprint in North America has shrunk dramatically, and the market has shifted toward higher-volume players. The company is openly considering partnerships with Nissan – its longtime ally – and Honda, which would mark a new phase of cooperation among Japanese brands in the region.
Exploring Collaboration With Honda and Nissan
In an interview with Nikkei Asia, Mitsubishi President and CEO Takao Kato laid out the situation with unusual clarity. "It's absolutely difficult to continue on our own," he said, framing the need for collaboration as a matter of survival in North America rather than strategy.
Kato confirmed that the company aims to make "concrete progress" by the time Mitsubishi announces its next medium-term plan in spring. He didn't identify possible models or factories, though co-producing SUVs isn't an alien idea for both Mitsubishi and Nissan. Remember the Nissan Rogue PHEV?
With no American factory, Mitsubishi is fully exposed to US tariffs. Its North American business posted a loss in the first half of the fiscal year, and its 113,000 US sales in 2024 amounted to just a fraction of Nissan or Honda's volumes. Nissan's Canton and Smyrna plants have room to spare due to softer demand, while Honda's five US factories are running near capacity.
Nissan
What Could Come Next
Nothing has been finalized for now, but the outlines are taking shape. Shared SUV production is one option. Joint development of future vehicles – already under discussion between Nissan and Honda – is another lane where Mitsubishi hopes to take part. There's also room for wider cooperation beyond the US, building on existing supply relationships in the Philippines and Oceania.
If the three brands can agree on scope and costs, Mitsubishi may once again build vehicles on American soil. This time, though, the company seems intent on not doing it alone.
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