[khanak]

In a letter issued to its customers, Ralliart, a Japanese high-performance subsidiary of Mitsubishi, has announced that it is closing its doors. The company's business case has apparently faded, a victim of the wilting domestic aftermarket scene as well as its lack of continued motorsports involvement.

Naturally, we wondered if and how the closure of the company responsible for its high-performance parts and related merchandise would impact the development, production and marketing of Mitsubishi vehicles sold here in the States – more specifically, the Lancer Ralliart and Sportback Ralliart models. To answer that question, we spoke with Mitsu spokesman Maurice Durand, and he informs us that the closure of Ralliart will not, in fact, have any affect on the availability or continued marketing of these models (or any future branded offerings), as Mitsubishi owns the rights to the name, logo, and so on. Furthermore, all licensing agreements in foreign countries remain intact.

So, while you may not be able to get a genuine JDM Ralliart strut-tower brace or shift knob, you can breath easy that the SportBack that you've been saving your lunch money for will still be at your local dealer by the time you've got enough scratch. Official press release after the jump.

Ralliart announces it is closing its doors... so what does that mean for Mitsubishi? — Autoblog

[Rotorhead]

Originally Posted by khanak

merchandise would impact the development, production and marketing of Mitsubishi vehicles sold here in the States – more specifically, the Lancer Ralliart and Sportback Ralliart models. To answer that question, we spoke with Mitsu spokesman Maurice Durand, and he informs us that the closure of Ralliart will not, in fact, have any affect on the availability or continued marketing of these models (or any future branded offerings), as Mitsubishi owns the rights to the name, logo, and so on. Furthermore, all licensing agreements in foreign countries remain intact.

when they say continued availablity and marketting , does it mean that the production of units will be only per need basis? Also does it mean that any other company which has the licensing can manufacture this unit but will have to use the ralliart name? Can someone clarify on the above statement from the mitsu spokesman, maybe i am reading too much inbetween the lines.

[CPH]

Originally Posted by Rotorhead

when they say continued availablity and marketting , does it mean that the production of units will be only per need basis? Also does it mean that any other company which has the licensing can manufacture this unit but will have to use the ralliart name? Can someone clarify on the above statement from the mitsu spokesman, maybe i am reading too much inbetween the lines.

Does it really matter, whether it is written ralliart? There is plenty of other companies that can supply stuff of a simiular kind.

[GTO]

I'm not surprised. With Mitsubishi's car division itself in doldrums, how could its niche performance arm survive? I mean, when the parent cannot sell cars, where will Ralliart's numbers come from?

Originally Posted by Rotorhead

when they say continued availablity and marketting , does it mean that the production of units will be only per need basis? Also does it mean that any other company which has the licensing can manufacture this unit but will have to use the ralliart name?

The Mitsubishi spokesperson is speaking about special edition Lancers, not Ralliart performance parts.

[Cooleo]

That is sad.

When a company stops doing what it does best, you know it's time to go.

This could well be the last nail in Mitsubishi's coffin.

R.I.P RALLIART.