Outlander PHEV sets new phase

The plug-in hybrid version of the bestselling Outlander midsize crossover is the "right vehicle at the right time" for Mitsubishi dealers and U.S. consumers, said Richard Herod III, chairman of the Mitsubishi National Advisory Board.

"The Outlander plug-in hybrid sets us up for the next phase of Mitsubishi, where we have an extremely competitive plug-in hybrid that is able to solve the needs of most American families," said Herod, who is also managing partner at White Bear Mitsubishi in White Bear Lake, Minn.

The 2023 Outlander PHEV, a product of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance that shares a platform with the Nissan Rogue, starts in the low $40,000s — a price point that's more accessible for families looking to go electric without sacrificing size, Herod said.

"It's the most affordable three-row vehicle that you can find with all-wheel drive on the market if you're looking for any level of electrification," he told Automotive News.

For Mitsubishi dealers to sell EVs such as the Outlander PHEV, their service departments must be specially certified. Sales consultants must pass EV-related exams, and stores must have chargers on-site, Herod said.

Mitsubishi developed a direct order bank for the new Outlander PHEV, Herod said. Once an order is validated, Mitsubishi looks for a customer match in their pipeline of units to assign to a dealer.

Through Jan. 24, Herod's store already had 167 presold orders that were validated and fulfilled for the Outlander PHEV.

"At the end of the day, when customers are buying what they want, they're happier," he said. "Having a direct path to that I think is a very big step forward for Mitsubishi and the dealers."