Downstate Mitsubishi plant begins Outlander production

Illinois production of the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport has begun in downstate Normal.

The new 2013 Outlander Sport will begin shipping to U.S. dealerships in early August with a starting manufacturer’s retail price of $19,170, officials say. Mitsubishi’s Normal manufacturing plant will begin with production of 50,000 Outlanders annually, with a target of eventually producing as many as 70,000 units per year of the compact SUV — Mitsubishi’s best-selling vehicle in North America, the company said.

About half of those Outlander Sports will be sold in the U.S. while others will be exported for sale in Central and South America, the Middle East and Russia, said Emal M. Noor, general sales manager of Biggers Mitsubishi in Elgin.

Noor attended a recent news conference at the plant with Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn to mark the first day of production. He recently served on a national advisory team for Mitsubishi Motors, which was made up of representatives from a few select dealerships around the nation, to recommend improvements for the company’s future products.

Having successfully launched just two years ago, the Outlander Sport receives numerous design and feature upgrades for 2013, including a sleek new look thanks to a redesigned grille, a two-tone rear bumper design, 18-inch alloy wheels now standard on all trim levels; and new interior accents and fabric. The compact SUV will get an estimated 31 miles per gallon in highway driving.

“I love the new design touches made to the front and rear fascia as well, which I think give the Outlander Sport a still very aggressive but more refined stance,” Noor said.