Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

I think this is a long overdue discussion on the planning of the local franchise holders for this brand.
A take over by Nissan will bring obvious changes as far as they are concerned.
Not necessarly for the good of the consumer.
I am concerned to hear from the trade industry there are no definite plans to bring the Pajero Sport here. Rumours abound but apparently their marketing department cannot speak for themselves. This model has been on the market since last year with excellent feedback from foreign places. Local rumour is it will be too expensive to import.

The future of the Pajero is not even a topic. Their boss is on record saying it will be looked at in the future 2018 or so. This means they haven't had a revised model for years. In this industry it means suicide. Not very difficult to see many customers walking away to where they get more value for their hard earned rands.
However, they are on record for bringing in another model below their Outlander. So marketing is winning the fights. Then they also sit with the fuel consumption scandal which will eat into their bottom line.
With both their competitors, Ranger and the Fortuner, going for local production with huge investments, it is not difficult to see which way the wind is blowing.
Also when hearing about branches closing down (as a direct result of diminishing sales obviously?).
I am not prepared to buy an old design vehicle today which will be off our market in a short (carspeak) time. The investment is too big.
When will the local franchise holders realise the internet has open our eyes.
I am really writing this topic with a heavy heart today as I am a big fan.
But much to my dismay I'll have to look at the Fortuner as a replacement for my Pajero swb.


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REAList

Very thought provoking comments. Let me give you some of mine as well.

I personally believe that the further investment by Nissan in Mitsubishi is a positive thing. Remember, they already had a share in Mitsubishi and only increased it. It may even lead to more franchises opening up and part sharing should hopefully lead to lower pricing to us the customers.

The petrol "scandal" is really a non-event as it basically only relate to the specific type of K-cars made in Japan which have to fall within a specific size etc. More and more manufacturers get caught out these days and to be honest I long ago stopped looking at the claimed figures when I consider a car as it has become a bit of a joke. I would not be surprised if Nissan themselves had a hand in the uncovering of this "scandal" to reduce the share value on purchase, but that is pure personal speculation.

Yes, since Imperial took over the marketing of the brand from Daimler Chrysler some dealerships had closed down, but there were also some new multi-franchise dealerships opened up, even in smaller towns. In fact I believe there are more dealerships now than what there was before the change. Yes, losing the dealership in Sandton recently is not good as they were a very professional outfit, but I am sure another multi franchise dealer will pop up soon enough somewhere. With Nissan as a bigger partner we might even see more multi franchises opening up alongside Nissan dealers, increasing the footprint even more. Yes this is bad from the perspective that the dealer are no longer a "specialist" on the vehicles that they service, but lets be honest, the days of meeting a proper mechanic that actually know what they are talking about mechanically at a dealer are long gone. Technical advisers will never have that knowledge unfortunately, and it aint all their fault to be honest. Cars are becoming computers, telling the service personnel (cant call them mechanics as they are not) what to replace. Services are also becoming even less and less as oils etc last longer and do not need as frequent servicing. This is not only on Mitsubishi.

Mitsubishi has never been a mass seller in South Africa and I think that is part of its appeal. So the above should work out OK for the brand?

With regards the future of Mitsubishi 4x4's specifically in SA. I think you are jumping the gun a bit in thinking that they will never introduce the latest vehicles here. Yes internationally the Pajero future has not been determined, but this move by Nissan might just change the whole future on that in any case. Mitsubishi SA has recently showcased the new Triton at the NAMPO show and I think it will be here soon. Of course these vehicles are all imported and where the Rand was at the beginning of the year I don't blame Mitsu in not committing to pricing and delivery dates on the new shape Pajero Sport. They probably still have enough current shape stock to last them a while and they can probably get old shape stock at hugely discounted prices from overseas until that is all depleted as well. Why risk the higher exchange and then still have to compete with the new Fortuner which was launched at the same time, and which are always, in SA, going to be a big seller. People will look at the sales numbers and say no Mitsu are not selling new Pajero Sport in relation to new Fortuner and then immediately have a negative stigma. Forcing Mitsu to reduce prices and making even less financial sense to the brand. I think it was a good decision to wait it out a bit until the new Fortuner craze die down a bit and the Rand stabilize(hopefully) for a while. Toyota and Ford already committed prices on the Fortuner and Everest at the time and the exchange rate must have hurt them badly, so I am sure the initial prices will be adjusted, making it easier for the new Pajero Sport to also be priced higher and still making it feasable for Mitsu SA when it is introduced. Introducing it later than the Fortuner will also allow it to be evaluated on its own merits, although it will always be compared to the Everest and Fortuner.

If you look at the Mitsubishi vehicles on SA roads it is mostly Pajero Sport and Triton bakkies, with the ASX also not doing too badly and the old, but still good value, Pajero also popping up every now and again. So the best sellers are the 4x4, SUV type vehicles. I am sure they will introduce the Pajero Sport 4x4's soon.

Hell even 4x4 ONLY manufacturers like Land Rover and starting to make soft-roaders, so hard core 4x4 vehicles are becoming scarce as people don't demand them if a high SUV will do most of their requirements at a lower price, so your fear of no 4x4 vehicles is true but it seems most of the other buyers out there are not fazed.

I think the Pajero Sport will definitely come to SA, but those that know when, ain't telling as they can still make some good money on the old current versions available until all sold.

Time will tell I suppose.

CATS
Man - that was probably my longest post - EVER

I dont have inspiring comments like the previous 2 but I'm hoping for a fiat fullback coming to SA I can see it loose 70% of ita value in 3 years

Update:
The Triton is now confirmed as having being postoned here for a year.
The Sport the same.
So don't hold your breath guys.
The local franchise has no idea of where they must go.
The other way of looking at this is that all the Renault models on the market overseas are available here.
Maybe the same can happen to the Mitsubishi brand.



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Another nice update:
Traded my swb in on a new Pajero Exceed.
A much softer nicer ride than the shorty.
And a beautiful colour.
Smile....
Oh, and swambo loves it.
Life is great


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