Mitsubishi joins Buick, Ford and Lincoln in abandoning sedans. Stellantis is phasing out the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300, the last sedans in those two brands’ lineups, though it’s unclear whether they will be replaced with electric versions down the road. Production of the Mirage for the U.S. ends in late 2025, and a next generation is not planned, according to AutoForecast Solutions.
The writing was on the wall for Mirage after Mitsubishi dumped the nameplate in its home market of Japan.
In the U.S., Mirage sales tumbled 44 percent in the first half, and the vehicle ranks last in sales among actively marketed subcompact sedans. By year end, deliveries likely won’t reach half of what they did during its peak selling year of 2019, according to the Automotive News Research & Data Center.
Ivan Drury, insights director at Edmunds, said the death of the Mirage signals that even shoppers looking for an affordable vehicle in the new-car market aren’t willing to buy what is typically seen as a penalty box car.”
With its three-cylinder, 78-hp engine, the Mirage struggles to even compete with some used vehicles.
“The Mirage’s chief competition is a 3-year-old Toyota Corolla with more interior space and a better ride,” Fiorani said.
Even so, the fuel-efficient Mirage, which offers up to 39 mpg combined, helps Mitsubishi attract new buyers.
“People who never bought Mitsubishi before will consider the Mirage because of the price point,” said Chadi Moussa, CEO of Carnamic, which operates two Mitsubishi dealerships in the San Francisco Bay Area. “With its three-cylinder engine, it’s a car just to drive around locally.”
