El Paso, TX -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/25/2011 -- El Paso Mitsubishi dealership Viva Mitsubishi is announcing that Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will expand its only North American plant to produce the 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Mitsubishi is investing $45 million to produce a new Outlander Sport Crossover Utility Vehicle beginning in 2012.

Production of the Outlander Sport Crossover Utility vehicle will begin in mid-2012 at the Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) plant in Normal, Illinois, says the leading El Paso Mitsubishi dealers.

MMNA President Shinichi Kurihara noted that bringing production of the Outlander Sport, currently built in Japan, to the Normal plant reinforces MMC’s commitment to the U.S. market. “Mitsubishi Motors remains fully committed to producing vehicles in Normal. We will build vehicles here not just for the United States, but for many nations around the world.”

In addition, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering the state’s more than $29 million business investment package. The package consists of EDGE tax credits and Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) job training funds that will help enhance the skills of the company’s workforce. Kurihara also expressed appreciation to the State of Illinois for approximately $29 million in EDGE Grant support over the next ten years. Governor Quinn expressed his pleasure at the ceremony.

“Mitsubishi’s decision to produce a new generation of automobile here in Illinois is a strong testament to the strength of our workforce and the state’s appealing business climate,” said Illinois’ Governor Quinn. “By working to stabilize our economy and investing in companies that are investing in Illinois, we’re helping to keep thousands of jobs in Illinois, helping reinvigorate our automobile industry and continuing our economic recovery.”
In expanding to the production of the Outlander Sport, at least 1,200 jobs at the plant are saved.

The Outlander Sport went on sale in North America and El Paso Mitsubishi dealer Viva Mitsubishi in November of 2010. The vehicle is built upon the same highly flexible vehicle platform that underpins the Lancer compact car and Outlander SUV, both of which are sold globally.

The Outlander Sport is a very well-equipped entry-level crossover that offers desirable features such as standard Bluetooth, MP3 jack, auxiliary jack, Bluetooth capabilities, keyless entry and steering wheel mounted audio controls.

Other available high-tech features that El Paso Mitsubishi shoppers love include a panoramic sunroof with LED accent lighting, a 710-watt Rockford-Fosgate sound system and a DVD-based navigation system with a 7-inch touch screen with real time traffic and storage for up to 3,000 songs.

For more information on the Mitsubishi Outlander, contact El Paso Mitsubishi dealer Viva Mitsubishi at 915-782-1620 or visit http://www.vivamitsubishi.com/.

About Viva Mitsubishi
Viva Auto Group has served El Paso customers with quality cars for over 25 years. Viva Auto Group has grown to encompass 9 major automotive brands, including Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Nissan, Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Kia.

Contact Viva Mitsubishi:
5800 Montana Ave.
El Paso, TX 79925
915-782-1620