The Mitsubishi Mirage is about to become the cheapest U.S. automobile. Recent research suggests the affordable passenger automobile may soon be extinct in the U.S. By mid-decade, sources told Automotive News that the Mirage would no longer be available in the U.S. The hatchback and sedan versions of the small automobile are available. According to sources, Mitsubishi will leave the car industry forever when it runs out. The Mitsubishi Mirage is one of the few automobiles with a recommended retail price under $20,000. The Nissan Versa, Kia Rio, Forte, and Soul compete in this class. Cox Automotive statistics show it was the only car sold last month for less than $20,000, despite its higher MSRP. Mitsubishi is still considering all options. Mitsubishi official Jeremy Barnes wouldn’t discuss the Mirage’s future with Automotive News. We know it will survive a while. “For the time being,” Barnes continued, “we still think it has a place in our portfolio.” In 2022, 15,816 Mirages were sold. It may not seem like much, but it was a substantial component of Mitsubishi’s 2017 U.S. sales. The ailing automaker sold 85,810 US automobiles in 2022. But Mirage sales were down 31% from 2021, so an inexpensive hatchback that’s ten years old is unlikely to top sales lists. Now struggling to sell units, it is expected to sell less than half its record 26,966 units in 2023. The Mirage’s low price is its vital draw. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it looks cheap, and everyone can see it. Many potential buyers will be turned off by it and consider other or better-used cars. The “deadliest car in America.” has horrible crash statistics. Making the three-cylinder, 78-horsepower Mirage obsolete by 2025 will be the only rational thing to do. Importantly, Mitsubishi has stopped building the Mirage in Japan, where little, low-power cars are popular. Mitsubishi’s base Mirage could be replaced by the subcompact X Force crossover. The low-cost variant will be distributed throughout Southeast Asia this year. SUV fans may like it better than hatchbacks and automobiles. It will likely be safer to sell in the U.S. You still have time to buy a Mirage if you want an affordable, fuel-efficient new automobile. Mention The Drive at the dealership since even a tiny portion of The Drive’s viewers can improve sales.
