Mitsubishi in top three after record PHEV sales month

A month after the release of the new 2019 Outlander PHEV, Mitsubishi Motors NZ’s market-leading plug-in hybrid SUV has recorded its highest-ever monthly sales figure.

September sales at 54 units were the best-ever for the PHEV, alongside 450 Triton, 315 ASX, 200 Outlander and 124 Eclipse Cross.

The result has helped propel the brand to third spot in the market and its most successful September for 24 years.

Mitsubishi recorded 1213 registrations in September – a 19% year-on-year increase.

At $55,990 (plus on-road costs), the new Outlander PHEV VRX was launched at a price point $8000 below the previous top-of-the-range model.

MMNZ chief operating officer Daniel Cook attributes the new model’s lower price point as a key factor for increased customer uptake, alongside rising fuel costs and an expanding national network of charging stations.

“Outlander PHEV has led its class since its release in 2014,” he says. “In our latest edition, we wanted to make the PHEV even more accessible to Kiwis looking to embrace this alternative technology.”

The PHEV has a 54km electric range and a combined range of more than 600km.

DC fast charge capability can recharge the battery to 80% in about 20 minutes.

Triton 2WD and 4WD models shared near 50:50 of the spoils in September, with 230 and 220 registrations respectively.

MMNZ’s highest-selling vehicle has enjoyed a strong run since Fieldays, with the popular 4WD GLS Black Edition swiftly followed by a run-out deal on the 2WD GLX-R double cab.