MITSUBISHI Motors has decided to end automobile production in China, and is discussing its exit with local joint venture partner Guangzhou Automobile Group, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Wednesday (Sep 27), without citing sources.

GAC will likely convert the plant, in Hunan province, to a production base for electric vehicles, the paper said.

Mitsubishi Motors said talks about the future of its China business with the shareholders in the joint venture (JV) in the country were ongoing and that nothing had been decided about it.

The JV, known as GAC Mitsubishi Motors, was launched by GAC, Mitsubishi Motors and trading house Mitsubishi Corp in 2012, focusing on SUV sales in China.

The venture said in July it would cut staff costs in a bid to revitalise its fortunes, after it stopped producing the car maker’s Outlander sports utility vehicle following weak sales just months after its launch in December.

Mitsubishi Motors in April said it would take a US$78-million charge for slowing sales at the venture. The automaker sold just under 32,000 vehicles in China last year, down about 50 per cent from 2021.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

Mitsubishi gave the same statement as Mitsubishi Motors. REUTERS