Mitsubshi is about to shut shop.

lostdude · 05-02-2008, 10:35 AM

I saw this on the news just then. Hasn't being finalised but i guess we all knew it was going to happen.

http://business.smh.com.au/mitsubish...0204-1q24.html

||| · 05-02-2008, 10:54 AM

im amazed they lasted this long. what was the last decent car they made here?

paul_r_d · 05-02-2008, 11:08 AM

It was bound to happen......i'm waiting for the day when NOTHING is made here. Out of the 100's of car out there, how many are made in Australia? 3? The Falcon, Commodore and Camry? They will go too, you watch.

**Fordman1** · 05-02-2008, 11:22 AM

2016 No Australian Industry ?

blackwood · 05-02-2008, 11:28 AM

Very sad news. So much history at Tonsley Park.

hy_boi · 05-02-2008, 11:31 AM

I think also part of todays meeting is to see if they can build the lancer and outlander here. But yeah the oz industry is getting close to over. The only one with a real decent future is holden and toyota, both with massive (on oz scale) exports.

**ebxr8240** · 05-02-2008, 11:48 AM

Our $$$ doesn't help exports ....Mitsi do make good small 4 cyl motors.. Trouble is they havn't been using them here....Off to China or India ??? Most light trucks etc come from Asia now...

RG · 05-02-2008, 12:02 PM

You say that the Aus industry is over and not much gets made here yet Ford will soon be building the Focus here and GM has invested a heap of $$$ into Holdens Plant in SA and the engine plant in Fishermans Bend.

I think it is just the start of a very good period.

**Polyal** · 05-02-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedXR347

You say that the Aus industry is over and not much gets made here yet Ford will soon be building the Focus here and GM has invested a heap of $$$ into Holdens Plant in SA and the engine plant in Fishermans Bend.

I think it is just the start of a very good period.

Exactly, half the trouble is that everyone is so doom and gloomy.

FoA has just spent a heap, same with GM so they will be here for a while yet.

The 380/Magna have never really done that well. Which is a shame, but the lancer does what the 380 did; but alot better.

Personally I think the new Lancer is awesome, and would get one over a Focus (except for the XR5) anyday.

T3ts50 · 05-02-2008, 12:31 PM

From what Koche was saying on sunrise, Mitsubishi produced 55,000 Magnas back in '97 compared to 11,000 in '07.

Powdered Toast Man · 05-02-2008, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |||

im amazed they lasted this long. what was the last decent car they made here?

Ahh, the 380

: The Magna was a great car in it's day too.

Just because it doesn't sell well doesn't mean its crap. Is the Commodore the best car in Australia? Because it sells the most.

I think Mitsubishi may have been killed by it's own marketing. The engineering is sound, it's just that poeple aren't buying large engined, large FWD cars at the moment. Aurion sales are falling in a heap too.

Mitsubishi should have started building the Lancer out here, but it probably doesn't make financial sense globally.

gtfpv · 05-02-2008, 12:57 PM

I KNOW everyone in the media , and industry comment on how good the 380 is . but as much as i try , i just cant see myself owning one . here lies the problem i think . they just arent appealing to the public. who buy cars. sad but true.

||| · 05-02-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powdered Toast Man

Just because it doesn't sell well doesn't mean its crap.

yes it does. thats how business works.

the 380 is the wrong design at the wrong time at the wrong price. its crap and no one will miss it

hy_boi · 05-02-2008, 01:11 PM

Aurion sales have been steady, but haven't been going up either.

I don't think the Aus export market can get really big, but more then likely hold what it is doing now.

The biggest thing though is toyota pulled out of making the corolla in Aus, so makes me think how ford would be able to do it with a smaller budget.

I just hope it all works out in the end.

Powdered Toast Man · 05-02-2008, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |||

yes it does. thats how business works.

the 380 is the wrong design at the wrong time at the wrong price. its crap and no one will miss it

No I still stand by my statement. Just because it has poor sales doesn't mean it's a poorly designed and engineered car! It was a crap business decision though I do grant you that, and I pointed that out in my previous post.

And no, before you ask I dont own one

: . I have spent some time in Magnas though, and for a comfortable, powerful, reliable runabout they are very good cars. I dont think I would buy one with sporty intentions in mind. I like my powerful cars to power the back wheels, or at least all 4.

SPK-250 · 05-02-2008, 01:30 PM

I work at Walkers so i wonder if it will affect us and all the other suppliers??

I cant remember the last time we made the mufflers, very rare.

XR6_190 · 05-02-2008, 02:13 PM

I think the closure of the Tonsley Park facility was always going to happen. I don't blame the car for this, as it is a good car, however I do blame the way it was marketed and the pricing/ equipment levels of the up market models (eg. GT)

It does make me wonder whether or not it would have been worth while sticking with the Magna/ Verada nameplates?

blueoval · 05-02-2008, 03:23 PM

Just got confirmation from a mate who works at mitsubishi tonsley.

Its official that Mitsubishi WILL be closing as of 31st march this year.

fmc351 · 05-02-2008, 03:30 PM

Sad news for many families, especially those nearing retirement age but not yet ready to retire.

Smoke Pursuit · 05-02-2008, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6_190

I think the closure of the Tonsley Park facility was always going to happen. I don't blame the car for this, as it is a good car, however I do blame the way it was marketed and the pricing/ equipment levels of the up market models (eg. GT)

It does make me wonder whether or not it would have been worth while sticking with the Magna/ Verada nameplates?

Yes and no.

The Magna hit a dip in the later years between 2001 - 2003 where the changes to it were minimal. If they had brought the 380 out late 2002 when the BA Falcon / VY Commodore etc had be released it may have had a better chance, but it was too little too late in 2005...

Sad news they are closing and very dissapointing for the South Australian Government.

Cobra · 05-02-2008, 04:03 PM

So it's been confirmed. I was listening to the radio on the way home and the 3pm (SA time) news said they expected an announcement shortly. I was not suprised one bit. Sad, but not suprised. The only thing we can hope is that the 1000 odd workers get new jobs. I heard that when the Lonsdale engine plant shut shop just about everyone found a new job which is something promising for the guys and girls at Tonlsey Park to think about.

HenryV8 · 05-02-2008, 04:05 PM

The Australian - Breaking News

Quote:

MITSUBISHI'S Australian assembly operations in Adelaide will close by the end of March, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) state secretary John Camillo says.
Mr Camillo said Mitsubishi Australia president Rob McEniry told workers at the Tonsley Park plant of the decision at a meeting today.

About 1000 workers will lose their jobs, with the company pledging to pay out all their redundancy and leave entitlements.

The workers have been told to take the rest of the week off on full pay and return to work again on Monday.

Mitsubishi has also pledged to provide counselling for workers.

"Rob McEniry spoke to the workers, it was very emotional,'' Mr Camillo said.

"He indicated that one hour ago Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Japan made the announcement to close the Tonsley Park operation.''

ZA-289 · 05-02-2008, 04:07 PM

Apparently there's police cars at Misubishi?

Keepleft · 05-02-2008, 04:16 PM

http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...090400991.html

All over red rover! Same coverage per above.

TZENU · 05-02-2008, 04:16 PM

Its not suprising that yet another Australian manufacturing plant is getting shutdown.. I can see in the next 10 years that manufacturing of any sort in Australia will have almost disappeared offshore...

But the biggest loss will be those currently employed at the plant..

Ralliart · 05-02-2008, 04:16 PM

very sad news That Mitz Austrlia did this but this was bound to happen as soon as i found out abut this, i posted on the official Mitz fourm i always go on, i do agree with someone post about the 380 100% being a failure it was, it basily killed Mitz, u look 2 figure's from 10 years ago

3rd Gen Magna (1997) 55,00
380 (2006 - now) 11,000

the 380 just didn't aplear to Australian customers, unlike the 3rd gen Magna did now that's a gr8 car with style , i might get blasted of what i just said so be it

Thanks

Smoke Pursuit · 05-02-2008, 04:19 PM

Theres going to be some dodgy 380s built in the next month...

Steffo · 05-02-2008, 04:21 PM

I knew it was gonna happen. The 380 is a heap. The worst thing to do to try to save your company is to take an ugly American idea and try to sell it here. Its never worked.

Not gonna miss Bitsamissin', but do feel very sorry for all the people who will lose their jobs. Wouldn't it be awesome if another manufacturer took it over to build something good there...

Ralliart · 05-02-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

I knew it was gonna happen. The 380 is a heap. The worst thing to do to try to save your company is to take an ugly American idea and try to sell it here. Its never worked.

Not gonna miss Bitsamissin', but do feel very sorry for all the people who will lose their jobs. Wouldn't it be awesome if another manufacturer took it over to build something good there...

heard that kia are going into the same factory not 100% sure on that through

Cobra · 05-02-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

I knew it was gonna happen. The 380 is a heap. The worst thing to do to try to save your company is to take an ugly American idea and try to sell it here. Its never worked.

Not gonna miss Bitsamissin', but do feel very sorry for all the people who will lose their jobs. Wouldn't it be awesome if another manufacturer took it over to build something good there...

Yeah like Chrysler...