Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors will no longer develop new diesel powertrains, will cease production of diesel variants of key vehicle models by the end of 2021, and will also “significantly reduce the scale of its diesel vehicle business,” the Nikkei Asian Review reported.
At best, consumers can hope that the company will continue to work on existing diesel engines, Nikkei writes.
This decision is largely due to trends in some large markets, especially in Europe, which are distancing themselves from the use of diesel fuel. The Nikkei publication states that according to some forecasts, global sales of diesel vehicles could decline by 10% over the next 40 years.
“Mitsubishi Motors' diesel offerings will be limited to small trucks and some SUV models in Europe and the United States, as well as the Delica D:5 minivan in mass production in Japan,” the Nikkei article reported. The share of diesel vehicles produced by Mitsubishi should fall in the next two to three years to less than 20% from 24% in 2018.
The move is consistent with decisions by other Japanese manufacturers to stop focusing on diesel vehicles in Europe, including Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi's Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance partner Nissan.
Source: 3dnews.ru