Mitsubishi is considering plans to manufacture the Mirage hatchback at its Philippine plant, according to a Nikkei report. Following the launch of the Philippine government's new automotive plan, known as the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy (CARS) programme, Mitsubishi is mulling plans to begin production of the Mirage at its Laguna plant as early as 2016 and to build new moulding facilities inside the plant with an estimated capital investment of JPY10 billion (USD81 million). The new production plans would reportedly result in the plant operating at full capacity of 50,000 units per annum (upa).
Significance: Mitsubishi has previously revealed a PHP5 billion (USD) investment in its Philippine unit on the back of the CARS programme. The Philippine president recently approved the CARS, and many global automakers, including market leader Toyota, have based their growth development plans in the country on the programme.
