What car did Mitsubishi make for Dodge?
The car most closely associated with Mitsubishi’s production for Dodge is the Dodge Colt, a badge‑engineered version of Mitsubishi’s Celeste. Mitsubishi also supplied the Dodge Mirage at another point in the partnership, providing Dodge with a US‑market version of its own Mirage hatchback.
How the partnership began and why it mattered
During the 1970s, Chrysler (which owned Dodge) formed a strategic alliance with Mitsubishi to secure compact and subcompact cars for the North American market. This collaboration allowed Dodge to offer smaller, fuel‑efficient cars while Mitsubishi gained access to American distribution networks. The outcome was a wave of badge‑engineered models that carried Dodge branding but were built by Mitsubishi factories.
Key Dodge models sourced from Mitsubishi
Below is a look at the main Mitsubishi‑built or Mitsubishi‑based Dodge models that appeared in North America. The list highlights the two cars most closely tied to this cross‑brand collaboration.
- Dodge Colt — A badge‑engineered version of Mitsubishi’s Celeste, sold in North America in the late 1970s through the early 1980s. It helped Dodge fill its subcompact segment with a small, economical car built by Mitsubishi.
- Dodge Mirage — The US‑market version of Mitsubishi’s Mirage hatchback, offered by Dodge in the early 1980s as part of the ongoing collaboration. It provided Dodge buyers with a compact, front‑wheel‑drive option sourced from Mitsubishi engineering.
These two models illustrate how the alliance operated: Dodge benefited from Mitsubishi’s compact platforms and production capabilities, while Mitsubishi gained access to Chrysler’s dealer network and marketing reach in the United States.
Impact on Dodge’s lineup and long‑term effects
The Mitsubishi‑Dodge relationship helped Dodge diversify its lineup with affordable, efficient cars during periods of rising fuel prices and changing consumer preferences. While the collaboration eventually evolved as corporate alliances shifted, the Colt and Mirage era remains a notable chapter in both brands’ histories, illustrating how cross‑manufacturing can expand a carmaker’s product reach.
Legacy and broader context
As Chrysler underwent corporate reorganizations and Mitsubishi’s global strategy evolved, badge‑engineered partnerships diminished. However, the precedent set in the Colt/Mirage years influenced how automakers later approached platform sharing, joint development, and international collaborations. Today, both brands continue to pursue diverse product strategies within their respective corporate groups, building on a history that included Mitsubishi‑built Dodge vehicles.
Summary
In short, Mitsubishi produced the Dodge Colt, a badge‑engineered version of the Celeste, and also provided the Dodge Mirage as a US‑market variant of its own Mirage. These models illustrate the practical outcomes of the Mitsubishi–Dodge collaboration during the late 20th century, offering Dodge buyers affordable, compact cars sourced from Mitsubishi’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
What cars did Mitsubishi make for Dodge?
Mitsubishi Starion. The Mitsubishi Starion is a sports car which was manufactured and marketed by Mitsubishi from 1982 until 1989 — with badge engineered variants marketed in North America as the Conquest, under the Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth brands.
What car did Dodge and Mitsubishi make together?
Mitsubishi Mirage / Dodge & Plymouth Colt / Eagle Summit: Compact commuter cars that all stemmed from Mitsubishi's Mirage design, which were produced during the Mirage's third generation. Dodge Avenger Coupe / Chrysler Sebring Coupe: Two-door, FWD coupes built on versions of the Galant's platform starting in 1994.
Did Dodge own Mitsubishi?
No, Dodge never owned Mitsubishi, but they had a long-standing partnership that started in 1971 when Chrysler bought a 15% stake in Mitsubishi Motors. This allowed Dodge to sell rebadged Mitsubishi vehicles in the U.S., and they later formed a joint manufacturing venture called Diamond-Star Motors. The partnership ended in the 1990s when Chrysler sold its shares.
The partnership explained
- Initial investment: Chrysler first partnered with Mitsubishi in 1971, buying a 15% stake in the Japanese company. This gave Chrysler access to small, fuel-efficient vehicles it lacked and allowed Mitsubishi to expand into the American market.
- Rebadged vehicles: Under this agreement, Chrysler rebadged Mitsubishi cars and sold them under its brands. Early examples include the Dodge Colt and Plymouth Arrow.
- Joint manufacturing: In 1985, the two companies formed Diamond-Star Motors, a joint venture to build cars in the United States and avoid import restrictions. The Eagle Talon and Mitsubishi Eclipse were examples of vehicles produced there.
- End of the partnership: The partnership evolved over the years, with Chrysler eventually selling its share in Diamond-Star Motors to Mitsubishi in 1991 and fully divesting its equity in 1993.
- Subsequent alliance: A different, short-lived alliance occurred in 2000 between DaimlerChrysler and Mitsubishi, but this did not involve Dodge owning Mitsubishi.
Was the Dodge Colt a Mitsubishi?
The Dodge Colt is a subcompact car manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors and marketed by Dodge for model years 1971 to 1994 as a captive import. Rebadged variants included the Plymouth Champ and Plymouth Colt, both were marketed by Plymouth.
