Its no secret in the Chinese automotive industry, automobile sales at SouEast are flatlining, to solve the issue SouEast and their joint venture partner, Mitsubishi, are planning to make a redesigned Lancer for the Chinese car market. The current Lancer made by SouEast is quite bland when compared to the latest generation Lancer from Japan:
The latest redesigned Lancer is expected to go on sale towards the end of 2008 with both a sporty version, and a family sedan model on offer. The cars parts will be 50% sourced from Japan (the 1.8 and 2.0l engines are from Japan, as are the gearboxes), and 50% sourced from local Chinese markets. SouEast also plans to import the current generation Lancer Evo into China from Japan later this year. China Car Times is currently unsure if the current Lancer (above) will continue to be sold in China alongside the new Lancer, as the case with the two Hyundai Elantras, or if production will be stopped completly.
Equipping this Chinese version of Mitsubishi Lancer with quality Japanese engines will make the car very competitive on the local Chinese market knowing the fact that engines made in China aren’t very good when it comes to quality.
Honda D Series are made in Guangzhou; for the world market.