Mitsubishi’s 7-seat crossover MPV to be called Mitsubishi ‘Expander’

According to a report from KompasOtomotif, Mitsubishi has decided to call the production version 'Mitsubishi Expander'.

The undisclosed source who revealed the information to the Indonesian publication also divulged the plan to have at least nine variants of the Mitsubishi Expander in the archipelago. Mitsubishi won't limit this MPV's reach to the Asian countries. Interestingly, the person in the know has also said that the company plans to launch to take the model to Europe.

Mitsubishi's European operations could use a new volume model, where the Japanese automaker saw a loss of 22.1 billion yen last year.

Last year, Tsunehiro Kunimoto, Corporate General Manager of design office, Mitsubishi Motors, had said that the Mitsubishi XM's production version will have 80% similarity to the concept. The Expander will reportedly sit on on an all-new platform and have a 1.5-litre petrol engine under the hood. Buyers however won't get a diesel engine or an all-wheel drivetrain layout option.

The Mitsubishi Expander will debut at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show in August. It will compete with the Toyota Avanza, Suzuki Ertiga, Honda BR-V and the Daihatsu Xenia.