Last 380 built today

[flappist]

Originally Posted by blueoval

The evo is the only mitsu I'd consider buying. Sad day for SA and its former employees.

An interesting side note to this is that Ralliart (the company not the wombat) products are now available from most Mitsu dealers instead of a few specialist ones. This may possibly do for them what it did for FPV when they left the old FTE marketing methodology.

My local has flogged a couple of Colts and has orders for Lancers when they are available. The EVO X looks like a very capable buzzbox.

[Ralliart]

Details On The Last 380's

Originally Posted by The Age

March 27, 2008 - 3:27PM

Mitsubishi has produced its last car in Adelaide ahead of closing down its Tonsley Park assembly facility.

The last batch of 380 sedans came off the production line this morning at the plant in Adelaide's south, with the very last car a silver-coloured luxury version.

Mitsubishi president Rob McEniry said three of the last four cars produced would benefit charities, with the other to be permanently displayed at the National Motor Museum at Birdwood in the Adelaide Hills.

Mr McEniry said one of the final four 380s would be donated to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, another to Vision Australia, and the very last car produced would be auctioned to the company's dealer network with all proceeds going to charity.

Several hundred workers will finish up at the Adelaide facility tomorrow but others will stay on to officially decommission the plant over the next few months.

About 100 workers gathered inside the factory today for an official function to mark the production of the last vehicles, with one, Mario Bosio, describing it as a sad day for the company and staff.

Mr Bosio has worked at the Tonsley Park site for 38 years, after starting his career with Chrysler well before Mitsubishi took over the site in 1980.

"It's a sad time but I think it's just one of those things," Mr Bosio said.

"The company just chose, probably, the wrong car at the wrong time."

Mitsubishi earlier blamed falling sales in Australia's large car market and mounting debts for its decision to close Tonsley Park and end production of the 380 sedan.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by blueoval

The evo is the only mitsu I'd consider buying. Sad day for SA and its former employees.

Yeah ill never forget my full tilt ride in an Evo 8

[fou_bleu]

A very sad day indeed for Aussie manufacturing! :( I actually quite liked the 380...

I am hoping that the replacement is something along the lines of the next (2009?) Galant (aka ZT concept)...

[Ralliart]

Originally Posted by fordman6

A very sad day indeed for Aussie manufacturing! :( I actually quite liked the 380...

I am hoping that the replacement is something along the lines of the next (2009?) Galant (aka ZT concept)...

hopefully its going be very interesting what happens wiht mitz in the near future.

[Mongoose]

Although the 380 is a decent car now, Like most large mitsu's i cant see it ageing too well. Alot of the 380's we get in at work are fairly shagged by 90,000kms (the interior that is, mechnically there usually fine). And I'de hate to sell one of these 2nd hand in 2 years time, don't think resale value is going to be too high

But who cares, Hatchback lancer will be in before too long to steal all the subaru impreza sales, also cant wait till they do a ralliart version of them as well, mmm....

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Quasi

but none of the workers (unless one or two are lucky enough to be chosen to train chinese operators).

I got that wrong, the equipment is rumoured to be going to a new plant in Russia where they will build the Outlander.

[Eaturbo]

Yes very sad indeed, I remember back when the sigma was a chrysler sigma and they built the Sigma Turbo in early 80's, alot of history in Aus and this day will also go down in history.

[GK]

Originally Posted by Quasi

This will have a huge impact on the Aussie car market. As far as new cars are concerned I see Toyota benefitting the most from this (doesn't take a genius to figure that one out). All those Magna/380 buyers will now look to the Aurion I would say.

I hope you're mega wrong, and those who'd consider purchasing a 380 would now look to a Mondeo.

GK