1. The Asahi Glass Co. creates a number of different products that can be used in cars. In one division, it creates sheets of glass, glass for car windshields, and many other glass products. There is also a Chemical Division which is broken up into two groups: Commodity Chemicals and Performance Chemicals. Commodity chemicals contain a wide range of uses and products such as cleaning agents, fuel, sanitary products, raw materials, paper pulp, bath additives, uses in the food and pharmaceutical industries, and many more. Performance Chemicals’ products include coatings for structures such as buildings and bridges, soundproofing panel chemicals, chemicals in carpets, repellents, adhesives, thermal insulation, films, and many more.

There are unlimited different variations and uses for these services and products that could be applied to car manufacturing. Not only are the supplies useful, but the independent specialized groups can trade research information and delve deep into particulars other auto manufacturers may not.

2. The Mitsubishi Agricultural Machinery group produces products such as tractors, Rice Trans-planters (which transplants rice seedlings to the rice paddy field), Combine Harvesters (harvests, threshes, and cleans grains), Mini Rotors, and Power Tillers. Many of these products have grown a reputation as being reliable and tough, quality products. Much of the research and development of this company can greatly impact the understanding of small motors and machinery usage.

3. Mitsubishi Cable Industries manufactures electric wires and cables for general-purpose high-voltage transmission telecommunication and construction cable accessories and installation of power cables. The production of these manufactured materials can greatly impact the productivity of other factories to supply them with with products “in house.”

4. The Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (part of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation) is one of Japan’s largest chemical companies with influences in pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, plastics, films, data storage products like CD’s and DVD’s and many more. Many of these chemicals are used in production factories as supplies for both the end product and daily operating needs of any of the Mitsubishi Group affiliates.

5. The Mitsubishi Electric Corporation/Diamond Vision manufactures: 1.Large scale high resolution videos screens (found in many sports arenas). 2. Digital signage that can be synced to integrate scoring, statistics, and video for indoor and outdoor usage. 3.Modular blocks that are digital building blocks for many uses such as large mobile screens and bright block structures.

6. Hardware for control rooms like state of the art screens. All of these products can also impact what after market items cross industry norms. For example, in-car LED screens could be offered in new models with GPS systems.

7. The Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation manufactures trucks and buses ranging from light to heavy usage. These vehicles have many purposes such as carrying cargo, transporting raw materials via dump truck, aluminum enclosed storage, and tractor truck transportation. Buses manufactured are generally for commercial use and vary in size. This is one division of the Mitsubishi Group that is closely related to the comsumer automotive company. Many of these products have been engineered for different purposes than compact cars, but can closely resemble profitable research findings when redesigning a new models in the future. For example, a prototype for a commercial sized bus may experiment with traction control systems. These findings could influence the nature and plans of other divisions.

8. The Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company engineers gas into different kinds of uses such as plastics, hydrogen products, and natural gas refinement. These processed materials can be of course supplied to the automotive group.

9. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries name oversees a number of companies such as Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America, Aerospace and Aircraft, Climate Control (Air Conditioners), Mitsubishi Power Systems, Mitsubishi Machine Tools, Tire Machinery, Transportation Systems, and More. All of these independently can produce materials all used by the Auto Manufacture Group.

10. Kirin Brewing Co. produces Kirin Ichiban and Kirin Light for the United States. It is also a distributor for many large brewers like Budweiser and Heineken. After a long day’s work, why not have a refreshing beer? It sure helps when the same company you work for owns a beer distributing company as well.Here are a number of other companies under the Mitsubishi Group name that may or may no affect the auto group’s process:

Overall, Mitsubishi Group’s influence impacts hundreds of industries and manufacturing groups around the world. The Japanese groups has a long history and will continue to grasp global power.

And why not? According to Mitsubishi, it reported an overall sales increase of X compared to 2007. Among the leading models, Mitsubishi boasts a 16.4% increase on the Galant, and upward trend of 29% on the Eclipse Spyder, and the prized Evo Lancer had a 48.4% jump.

This doesn’t really seem like it would impact overall car sales much, especially for the class and competition for small compact sedans and coupes.

For the 2007 model year, the Mitsubishi Raider dropped the XLS and Limited trim levels and removed some of its features. The XLS was dropped, only to be replaced by SE trim, reoffering its previous year’s 4.7-liter V8 engine for it. (more…)