Mitsubishi creates 400 new jobs as sales soar

Mitsubishi is creating 400 new showroom, technical and head office jobs as the carmaker experiences growing demand for its models.

Sales at the Japanese firm are up 32% on last year and grew 197% in July, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The brand partially credits its recent success to a £20 million investment in marketing to support the arrival of its new plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander.

Already the Outlander PHEV is making its mark on the new car market, accounting for more Plug-in Car Grants claimed last month than any other electric model.

Priced from £28,249 after the £5,000 grant is deducted, the PHEV costs much the same as the automatic Outlander GX3 diesel too, but is rated with a fuel economy figure of 148mpg on a combined cycle and emissions of just 44g/km CO2.

Lance Bradley, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK says: “We are preparing the business for an extended period of growth with the recruitment of new staff and investment in training and dealer support. The business is performing extremely well, based on the introduction of new models and exciting growth plans over the next five years.”

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK currently employs 200 staff at its head office in Cirencester and a further 60 at its vehicle import handling facility at the Royal Portbury docks, Bristol.

There is also around 2,000 staff employed at its UK dealerships and service centres.