New L300 to be launched in 2019

MANILA, Philippines - Mitsubishi Motors Corp. Philippines (MMCP) will launch a new model of its L300 unit in 2019, which will feature the Euro 4 engine.

“The L300 will make a comeback as a Euro 4 model after one and a half years,” MMCP first vice president for marketing Froilan Dytianquin told reporters in a recent interview.

MMCP earlier announced that it would phase out its L300 model, along with the Adventure model later this year in order to comply with the government’s stricter emission standards.

Asked why it would take some time to launch a newer L300 model, Dytianquin cited a development issue with the model, particularly for its engine.

“There’s no Euro 4 engine at the moment for L300 so Mitsubishi is developing one,” Dytianquin said.

Dytianquin said Mitsubishi sells the L300 model in only two markets, the Philippines and Indonesia.

As for the Adventure model, Dytianquin said the company would not be introducing a newer model, as it is only sold in the Philippine market.

“Because for Adventure, it’s only Philippines. There are no other markets selling the Adventure. At least yung L300, we have Indonesia also,” the company official said.

Mitsubishi sells an average of 1,500 units of L300 a month, according to Dytianquin.

Based on a Department Order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR) in 2010, all vehicles need to be Euro 4 compliant by January 2016.

Car manufacturers, however, were given two years to phaseout existing Euro 2 models. The said extension expires at the end of 2017.

Dytianquin said MMPC would be producing L300 and Adventure units until around October.