Mitsubishi Motors plots pivot to US, Australia with partners' help

AutomobilesJapan automaker falters in longtime stronghold of Southeast Asia amid rise of Chinese EVsMitsubishi Motors' new Eclipse Sportback electric vehicle will be based on the Nissan Leaf. (Mitsubishi Motors)KOKI IZUMIAugust 21, 2026 02:44 JSTTOKYO -- Mitsubishi Motors is shifting focus toward the U.S. and Australia as weak markets in Southeast Asia undermine its long-standing reliance on that region, with the Japanese automaker looking to make up for a lack of North American plants by procuring vehicles from partners for now.