Perhaps few of you might have seen this transformer-like minivan. Meet the Mitshubishi Xpander, a 7-seat minivan designed and manufactured in Indonesia by Mitsubishi Motors. It was unveiled on July 24, 2017 in Jakarta and unveiled on August 10, 2017 on the 2017 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) in South Tangerang. It went on sale on October 3, 2017.
Mitsubishi Xpander became the star of the motor show. A sales order has been received for 11,827 units of Mitsubishi Xpanders exclusively at GIIAS, significantly exceeding the expectations of each Mitsubishi Motors Krama Yudha Indonesia and Mitsubishi Motors of Japan. At the start of February 2018, over 60,000 Mitsubishi Xpander units were ordered in Indonesia alone. To meet the demands of each the Indonesian and export markets expected in May 2018, Mitsubishi Xpander production has been increased from 5,000 units per 30 days to 10,000 units per 30 days.
So what not?
Mitsubishi Motors is taking steps to launch its hugely popular Xpander minivan across Southeast Asia, encouraged by brisk orders from Indonesia.
The Xpander is definitely a minivan, but from the skin it looks like an SUV. Many Indonesians compare Xpander to Transformer robots.
Mitsubishi increased production volumes in October 2017 and postponed the model’s January debut within the Philippines.
Now the corporate plans to begin shipping the Xpander to the Philippines and Thailand this month or next. The longer range plan is to roll out the vehicle in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia.
The Indonesian plant also produces the Pajero Sport SUV, with an annual production capability of 160,000 units.
Mitsubishi Motors goals to extend sales in Southeast Asia by roughly 50% in comparison with fiscal 2016 to 310,000 in fiscal 2019.
