In the early stages of China's automotive industry development, Mitsubishi engines played a crucial role, serving as a driving force behind the rapid rise of China's automotive industry.
In the 1990s, China's automotive industry was in its infancy, lacking technology and with weak independent research and development capabilities. At this time, Mitsubishi engines opened their doors to Chinese independent brands, providing a reliable power source for many domestic brands. Statistics show that at that time, 90% of domestic brand vehicles on the Chinese market were equipped with Mitsubishi engines; well-known brands like Geely, Great Wall, and BYD were all once loyal users of Mitsubishi engines.
The establishment of the joint ventures Mitsubishi Shenyang Aerospace and Dong'an Mitsubishi brought the technologically mature 4G6 and 4G1 series engines to the Chinese automotive market. These engines, with their stable and reliable performance, relatively low cost, and ease of maintenance, quickly gained prominence in the Chinese market. Mitsubishi engines could be seen in sedans, SUVs, and pickup trucks.
The introduction of Mitsubishi engines solved the urgent need for powertrain systems for Chinese automakers. It gave Chinese automakers hope amidst a lack of core technologies and equipment, laying the foundation for the development of China's automotive industry. With the support of Mitsubishi engine technology, early domestic brands successfully entered the market, initiating the development path of China's automotive industry.