Mitsubishi sales increase 42 percent in 2011

Attendees look at the new, all-electric Mitsubishi i during the National Clean Energy Summit 4.0 in Las Vegas. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

NORMAL – Last year was Mitsubishi’s best sales year since 2008.

The automaker released year-end sales figures Wednesday. Last year’s sales finished up 41.9 percent compared to 2010. Mitsubishi also reported selling 5,032 units in December, which is a 3.2 percent increase over December 2010.

Spokesman Dan Irvin credited the gains to higher consumer confidence.

“I think the industry as a whole has moved forward this year, and I think that’s primarily because consumers, or at least the car-buying demographic, feel a little better about the economy,” he said.

Irvin expects the trend to continue through the New Year.

“We’re hoping to keep moving in a positive direction,” he said. “We’re looking forward to what we think will be some additional incentive for American consumers to purchase the Outlander Sport when it’s being made in Normal.”

Sales for the Outlander Sport saw a nearly 58 percent increase last month compared to December 2010.

By comparison, Toyota’s sales rose about 4 percent in 2011, while Ford saw an 11 percent increase last year.

Irvin also said Mitsubishi has decided to move the national roll-out of the new all-electric Mitsubishi ‘i’ up about nine months, because of high consumer interest. The i is slated to be introduced in Bloomington-Normal sometime this spring.

Paul Morello can be reached at paul@wjbc.com.