Manufacturing

Mitsubishi throws in towel on fading era

The Normal, Ill., plant will close if Mitsubishi doesn't find a buyer.
July 27, 2015 05:00 AM
Asian manufacturing in North America

Some Asian automakers tested the waters on U.S. manufacturing through partnerships. These were among the first wave.
FactoryWherePartnersOpenedToday
Diamond-Star MotorsNormal, Ill.Mitsubishi-Chrysler1988Chrysler pulled out in 1991; Mitsubishi now wants to sell it.
NUMMIFremont, Calif.Toyota-GM1984GM pulled out in 2009; Toyota closed the plant in 2010 and sold it to Tesla for $42 million.
Mazda Motor Mfg. (USA)Flat Rock, Mich.Ford-Mazda1987Opened as a wholly owned Mazda plant, building both Mazda and Ford cars. Ford bought half in 1992, renaming it AutoAlliance International., then took full control in 2012 when Mazda ended production there.
Subaru-Isuzu AutomotiveW. Lafayette, Ind.Subaru-Isuzu1989Subaru bought Isuzu's stake for $1 in 2002. As Subaru of Indiana Automotive, it began building Toyotas in 2007, but the plant will revert to Subaru-only output in 2016.
CAMI AutomotiveIngersoll, OntarioSuzuki-GM1989Designed to help GM learn how to build small cars profitably with union labor; Suzuki sold its 50 percent stake to GM in 2009.
Bromont AssemblyBromont, QuebecHyundai-Chrysler1989Wholly owned Hyundai plant opened with a commitment from Chrysler to buy a rebadged version of the Sonata, then Chrysler changed its mind. Production ended in 1993.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s decision last week to sell its only U.S. assembly plant illustrates an emerging new-world order in car production.

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