Mitsubishi Pajero Mini

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The Template:Nihongo is a kei car produced by Mitsubishi Motors from December 1994 until June 2012.

Overview

Based on the platform of the Minica, the Pajero Mini was styled as a miniature version of the company's successful Pajero sport utility vehicle, in response to the SUV craze of the late 1980s and early 1990s.<ref name="suv_craze">"Mitsubishi Motors Corporation", Fundinguniverse.com</ref> Compared to the full-sized original, the kei vehicle was considerably smaller and was fitted with gas 660 cc four-cylinder engines.

The popularity of the vehicle inspired Mitsubishi to create several limited editions, including the "Iron Cross", "Desert Cruiser", "White Skipper" and "Duke".

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First generation (1994; H51/56A)

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The original Pajero Mini was first presented in December 1994. It was available with a choice of naturally aspirated or turbocharged 659 cc four cylinder engines with Template:Cvt. Two- or four-wheel drive were available, with 2WD models receiving the H51A model code and four-wheel drives being H56A. The four-wheel-drive model outsold the two-wheel-drive Pajero Mini at a rate of at least 6 to 1.<ref name=Recall1>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A larger-engined version with a wider track (and correspondingly larger fender flares) was presented in October 1995; this was sold as the Mitsubishi Pajero Junior. The turbocharged models were VR-I or VR-II depending on equipment levels, while the naturally aspirated versions were called XR-I and XR-II. The "-I" versions received little standard equipment and can easily be recognized by their steel wheels, black bumpers and other trim such as door handles and rear view mirrors, and minimal brightwork. The more expensive -II models were usually painted two-tone and often receive alloy wheels and various pieces of chrome trim.

In May 1996 the Pajero Mini "Skipper", a special version for urban and town use, was released. The name is a reference to Mitsubishi's Minica Skipper kei car coupé of the early 1970s. In December 1997, the Pajero Mini Duke was released. This had a somewhat more rugged appearance, including sturdy cladding along the sides and a grille with upright bars, a reference to Jeeps and Mitsubishi's history of license manufacturing the CJ-3B for four-and-a-half decades.

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Second generation (1998; H53/58A)

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In October 1998 the kei car regulations were again updated, and the Pajero Mini was widened and lengthened accordingly at the same time.<ref name="regs">"Toppo BJ, Minica, Pajero Mini; New regulation mini-cars from Mitsubishi Motors" Template:Webarchive, Mitsubishi Motors press release, October 5, 1998</ref> The "Duke" special model was carried over; it now received a larger, deeper set grille with vertical rather than horizontal bars. Two- or four-wheel drive were once again available, with 2WD models receiving the H53A model code and four-wheel drives being H58A (H57A had been used for the Pajero Junior; that model was never available with two-wheel drive, but H52A was skipped nonetheless).

In Japan, the Pajero Mini was sold at a specific retail chain called Galant Shop. Since 2008 Mitsubishi has produced the Template:Nihongo, an OEM version of the Pajero Mini, expanding a similar deal already in place for the Mitsubishi eK/Nissan Otti.<ref name="nissan">"Nissan Motor Company and Mitsubishi Motors to expand OEM supply agreement for mini-cars" Template:Webarchive, Mitsubishi Motors press release, February 27, 2008</ref>

Production of the Mitsubishi Pajero Mini ended in June 2012.<ref>"三菱自動車、軽乗用車 『パジェロミニ』 の特別仕様車「Premium Selection ～Final Anniversary～」を発売", Mitsubishi Motors press release</ref>

Annual production and sales

Year Production Sales Exports
1994 unknown unknown unknown
1995 104,990 unknown unknown
1996 71,185 unknown unknown
1997 43,302 44,224 358
1998 48,792 47,592 32
1999 36,580 35,673 3
2000 24,895 27,011 2
2001 16,590 17,458 0
2002 12,672 13,720 –
2003 17,141 17,237 –
2004 10,307 10,371 –
2005 10,445 10,611 –
2006 9,436 9,367 –
2007 9,279 9,195 –
2008 17,033 11,456 –
2009 11,195 8,646 –
2010 9,165 8,056 –
2011 9,681 8,281 –
2012 5,862 6,081 –
32 more cars sold 2013-2017

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(Sources: Facts & Figures 2000, Facts & Figures 2001, Facts & Figures 2005, Facts & Figures 2009, Mitsubishi Motors website)

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References

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Template:Mitsubishi Motors vehicles

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