Mitsubishi Motors Celebrates 200,000 Space Star
Published: 19th March 2003
When the first Space Star started off the NedCar production line on July 10th, 1998, it was already a crossover product - long before the term was coined and made so popular on the market. Back then, it was the first to bridge the gap between compact hatchbacks and MPVs. More of a dual pioneer indeed, as Space Star also started the ‘tall car‘ architecture in the European C-segment, now much in vogue.
Designed in Japan with European input and built in the Netherlands at the NedCar plant on a dedicated line, Space Star rewarded those who designed and build this new kind of automobile, becoming MMC’s best-seller in Europe. Since 1998, its performance got better almost every year (1998 / 4,800 units, 1999 / 42,800 units, 2000 / 38,000 units, 2001 / 43,000 units, 2002 / 45,000 units).
Sold in Europe but also as far as New Zealand (3% of the total production), Space Star proved a hit with production sent to Germany (# 1 / 27%), Italy (# 2 / 16%), The Netherlands (# 3 / 11%), the United Kingdom (# 4 / 6%), Belgium and Spain (# 5 / 5%) or Sweden (# 6 / 4%).
For Stefan Jacoby - President & CEO of Mitsubishi Motors
Europe B.V. - " This milestone proves that creative
engineering, like Space Star’s innovative architecture,
does win over customers. Tomorrow, all new products will continue
with this tradition. Built with great care at NedCar alongside
Space Star, they will aim at an even wider customer base,
for other achievements. "
