Mitsubishi 2002 Annual Report Download - page 13

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11
In larger cars, we are working together on two major development projects. In the C segment, where our
key product is the
LANCER
, we are jointly developing a common platform. We will use this in the
LANCER
and other models worldwide, while DC plans to launch such vehicles mainly in the United States. The sched-
ule calls for the first models to be launched in Japan in 2005. Finally, in the D segment of
GALANT
-class cars,
we are also developing a common platform, primarily for passenger cars to be sold in North America. We
plan to introduce new models based on this platform as early as 2003.
One final area of collaboration is the global engine alliance, which also includes Hyundai Motor of South
Korea. This will design, develop and produce advanced, in-line four-cylinder engines based on an alumi-
num block, with displacements of 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, and 2.4 liters. Total annual production for the three compa-
nies is expected to exceed 1.5 million units, generating major economies of scale and giving us the scope
to develop world-class competitive technology.
We derive three main benefits from our alliance with DC: we
get more from our capital investment budgets; we can gen-
erate huge cost savings from platform sharing and the use
of common components; and we gain access to the latest
technology and production techniques.
CAR ALLIANCES
Hideyasu Tagaya Executive Officer
SPECIAL FEATURE—MANAGEMENT TALKS